2004-2005 Season Review
Overall: 46-17 TranSouth: 11-4 (First of Six) TranSouth Tournament Champion:
Postseason Results: TranSouth Tournament: Defeated Martin Methodist (first round) 12-0, Eliminated Lyon College 9-1, Defeated Union University (Semifinals) 15-2, Eliminated NAIA #12 Cumberland University (Championship Game) 5-3. Region XI Tournament: Defeated by Cumberland College 5-6, Eliminated Lyon College 12-3, Eliminated by Lambuth University 9-5.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Coming off of record breaking 2004 campaign, the 2005 edition of the Trevecca Trojan baseball team came into the season with high expectations, and with good reason. The ball club had set numerous records in 2004 and returned two Honorable mention All-Americans in Brad Coon and Todd Dunlap, and the opening day starting line-up featured seven seniors. Despite this, the Trojans got off to a rocky 2-6 start, but that’s when things turned around. Starting with the second game of a double-header against Campbellsville University, the Trojans won 25 of their next 28 games.
The TranSouth Athletic Conference schedule opened with the Freed-Hardeman Lions and the Trojans took two in the three game series. After a midweek home win over NAIA No. 16 Spalding University, The Trojans traveled to Jackson, Tennessee to take on the Bulldogs of Union University. Due to rain the teams played three games on Saturday with Trevecca taking the win in two of the three games.
Martin Methodist pushed Trevecca to 15 innings in the first game in their series. Bubba Norris won that game with a RBI walk-off single and Trevecca took all three from the RedHawks. Trevecca found themselves a game back of Lyon College in the TranSouth standings as the Scots visited Nashville for a weekend series.
Trevecca came out firing on all cylinders, taking all three games from the then conference leading Scots. The sweep of Lyon gave the Trojans a two game lead with three games to play in the conference season. The final three games were to be played at the home of the defending national champion, Cumberland University.
In the series with Cumberland, Trevecca played well on Friday and claimed their first regular season conference title since 1989 with a 6-2 win. Trevecca took control of the game early as Cody Willoughby homered, then Bubba Norris sealed the win with a two-run blast. The Trojans ended TranSouth play with a 11-4 record and the 2005 Championship Banner.
The Trojans hosted the 2005 TranSouth tournament at Jackson Field and Shelby Park. Trevecca handled Martin Methodist in the first round 12-0 and eased by Lyon College 9-1 on Day Two, and then Trevecca dampened Union’s upset hopes 15-2 in the Semi-finals setting up a rematch with Cumberland for the title. The Trojans trailed for much of the game, but Shaun Cozart came through with a two-run single in the eight inning, giving the Trojans the lead for good as the Trojans held on for a 5-3 victory and the tournament title.
For the first time ever (region play began in 1997), the Trojans advanced to the NAIA Region XI tournament. The Trojans were upset by the Patriots of Cumberland College 5-6, setting up a rematch with Lyon College in the second round. For the fifth time this season, the Trojans beat the Scots, knocking them from the tournament 12-3, but the following day, the Trojans season came to an end at the hands of the Lambuth Eagles, 9-5
During the course of the season, the Trojans dominated the conference weekly awards, taking Player of the Week honors six times and Pitcher of the Week five times. Stipe Miocic (twice), Kyle Jackson (twice), Brad Coon and Bubba Norris took Player of the week honors for the Trojans, while Todd Dunlap (twice), Dean Mitchell, Barrett Brown, and Michael McGee were recognized as Pitchers of the Week this season. Norris, Jackson, Miocic, Brown, and McGee also earned Region XI Player of the Week honors.
Five Trojans made the TranSouth all-conference teams. Craig Ballentine was a first team all-conference catcher, Todd Dunlap and Barrett Brown were both first team all-conference pitchers, and Brad Coon (First Team) and Kyle Jackson (Second Team) were all-conference outfielders. Coon was named the 2005 TranSouth and Region XI Player of the Year. Joining Coon on the NAIA All-Region XI team were Barrett Brown and Craig Ballentine. Coon topped the season off with being named NAIA First Team All-American. Craig Ballentine and Barrett Brown were named Honorable Mention NAIA All-American. Trojans Head Coach Jeff Forehand received TranSouth Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive season.
With a 27-9 the Trojan baseball team was ranked No. 17 in the first regular season poll on March 24, 2005. The team was 18th in the second poll then began to rise reaching the top 10 with the fourth poll of the season and staying in the top 10 for five consecutive weeks. The team would peak at No. 6 on May 11, 2005. The team finished No. 13 in the final poll on May 18, 2005.
With the final overall record of 46-17, the Trojans set 12 team records this year, seven of them offensive. Trevecca recorded new single season bench marks in Wins (46), Runs Scored (458), Hits (634), Runs Batted In (417), Doubles (127), Triples (34), Stolen Bases (143), Stolen Base Attempts (171), Innings Pitched (484), Putouts (1450), Assists (658), and Double Plays Turned (60). Individually, Brad Coon set six new records this year, three single season and three career marks. Coon now holds the single season and career records for Stolen Bases (51, 96 Career), Stolen Base Attempts (55, 106 Career), and Triples (8, 15 Career).
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