History of ENC Baseball

The history of Eastern Nazarene College and it's baseball program goes back over 100 years.  ENC began as the Pentecostal Collegiate Institute in 1902 and as early as 1904, baseball was being played by it's students.   The first official season, however is credited to the 1958 Crusaders.  Coached by Carroll Bradley, ENC played 4 contests, winning all 4 including a 15 inning pitcher's duel against Curry College at Merrymount Field on Hancock St.  Bill Jones pitched all 15 innings and ENC loaded the based in the bottom of the 15th for Bob Cubie who arrived late to the field after coming from class.  Cubie delivered an RBI single to win the game and preserve the Crusaders perfect season.
 

In the early 90's, ENC joined the NCAA's Division III and the Commonwealth Coast Conference.  Head coach Mark DeMichael took ENC to it's first ever CCC Championship game in 1997.  The Crusaders would take a 3-0 lead into the late innings, but would lose to the afore mentioned Curry College Colonels 4-3.  That same year, current assistant coach, Jeremy Anderson would finish 10th in the nation with a .483 batting average.

In the 2000's, the Crusaders would travel to new heights breaking the school record for victories with a 28-12 season in 2004.  That year would mark the first ever post-season appearance for ENC as the Crusaders would be selected to host the ECAC Division III New England Championships.  Two players would also be invited to play in the New England All-Star game at Fenway Park.  Catcher Eric Haines and pitcher Jason McPherson would represent ENC alongside the best Divsion I, II, and III players in the region.

ENC would follow with 20 win seasons in 2005 and 2006 under current head coach, Todd Reid.  The Crusaders would rewrite the record books with players like Matt Watson (150 career hits and 101 RBI) and John Morgan (17 career wins and 182 strikeouts).   In 2005 ENC would reach the Commonwealth Coast Conference championship game for the second time, falling to Salve Regina University 8-5.

The 2008 season will mark the 50th anniversary of Crusader Baseball.  Head Coach Todd Reid hopes to honor the members of the first team as well as a "ENC 50" team that would include the best player at each position over the team's 50 year history.  He also hopes to embark on a campaign, asking 50 former players to commit to giving $50 per year to help build the success of the Crusader Baseball program.
 

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Baseball Alumni Year Player Position High School Hometown 2008 Matt Baluch Outfield Joseph Case HS Swansea, MA 2008 Craig Dix Out/Infield Oxon Hill HS Clinton, MD 2008 Matt Manganelli Pitcher Prospect Hill Academy Charlestown, MA 2008 Jared Wiedenroth Infielder Swampscott HS Swampscott, MA 2007 Brad Mountain Pitcher   Cape May, NJ 2007 AJ Wright Infielder King Phillips HS Wrentham, MA 2006 Tyler Abel Infielder Christian School of York York, PA 2006 Graham Crain Shortstop Stephen T. Badin Hamilton, OH 2006 Leif Jansen Outfield/DH Gardner HS Westminster, MA 2006 Matt Watson Centerfield N. Middlesex Reg. Pepperell, MA 2005 Greg Harjula 1st Base Rockland District Rockland, ME 2005 John Morgan Pitcher Gateway Regional Huntington, MA 2005 Matt Swartzlander Catcher East Jackson Jackson, MS 2005 Bryan Wakulinski Pitcher Nashua Nashua, NH More Coming!   Back to Top

Past Seasons  More Coming!   2008 Headlines Roster 1993 1978 1963 2007 Headlines 1992 1977 1962 2006 Headlines 1991 1976 1961 2005 1990 1975 1960 2004 1989 1974 1959 2003 1988 1973   2002 1987 1972   2001 1986 1971   2000 1985 1970   1999 1984 1969   1998 1983 1968   1997 1982 1967   1996 1981 1966   1995 1980 1965   1994 1979 1964                         Back to Top

ENC Records Coming Soon!   Back to Top