The 1981 MCCC baseball team became the first in school history to qualify for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series. Mercer finished third at the World Series tournament in Grand Junction, CO, including dominant victories over Louisburg, NC and Seminole Junior College, OK, the number one ranked team in the country. This is especially notable because at this time all junior colleges competed together at one level. The NJCAA was not divided into three divisions as it is today.
The 1981 team, guided by coach Preston “Butch” Miller, compiled a record of 39-7. Of its seven losses, two came against defending national champion Middle Georgia, one against number one ranked Seminole, and one against eventual national champion Miami Dade-South. Mercer dominated its competition, compiling a .350 team batting average and outscoring its opposition 433 to 209. Jim Filotei, Dennis Johnston, and co-captain Rich Soffel all batted above .400 for the season. Jody Adams drove in 72 runs in only 46 games. Seven players stole at least 10 bases, with four Vikings stealing more than 20. MCCC scored 10 or more runs in half its games.
The pitching was pretty good, too. The team’s top three starters, Al Collins (2.45), Stu Foulks (2.70), and John Spiegel (2.16) all had an earned run average (ERA) below 3.00. The closer, Randy Sturm, had an ERA of 1.99. During a pivotal double-header against rival Morris, Mercer pitching allowed one hit. John Spiegel tossed a no-hitter and Al Collins spun a one-hitter. Stu Foulks recorded more than 100 strikeouts. MCCC allowed three or fewer runs during more than half its games. This is remarkable in the aluminum bat era.
Four players on the 1981 team (DePiano, Foulks, Sturm, White) were drafted by or played for professional baseball teams. Many others competed at four-year colleges, including five (DePiano, Filotei, Foulks, Johnston, Mercurio) in the powerful Sun Belt Conference.
One of the most noteworthy achievements of the 1981 MCCC baseball team was winning the Sportsmanship Award at the World Series. Coach Miller demanded that his teams play, and win, with class. And they did.
Butch Miller, Head Coach
Don Davis, Assistant
George Mattonelli, Assistant
Athletic Trainer: Christine Angermeierv
Equipment Manager: Zinna Kusnirik
