The Wartburg Knights baseball program represents Wartburg College in college baseball. The program started in 1958. The team competes in the NCAA Division III and a member of the American Rivers Conference (ARC).[2] The team plays its home games at Harms Stadium at Hertel field in Waverly, Iowa.
Wartburg Knights | |
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Founded | 1958 |
Head coach | Casey Klunder (1st season) |
Conference | ARC |
Location | Waverly, Iowa |
Home stadium | Harms Stadium at Hertel Field (Capacity: 500) |
Nickname | Knights |
Colors | Orange and Black[1] |
College World Series appearances | |
1964, 2000, 2005 | |
NCAA Tournament appearances | |
1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 | |
Conference tournament champions | |
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2017 | |
Regular season conference champions | |
1961, 1962, 1963, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
History
editThe Wartburg Knights baseball team played its first season in 1958, with its first game coming against Iowa Wesleyan. The Knights reached the NAIA World Series in 1964. They hold the record for longest game played when they beat West Liberty State in a 16 inning game.[3] The program rose to national relevance in the late 1990s, early 2000s when Joel Holst was hired in 1996. The program has won a conference leading 22 conference championships, the most recent coming 2017 when they won three straight IIAC titles.[4]
Joel Holst era (1997-2022)
editJoel Holst was hired in 1995 and coached his first season at Wartburg in 1996. In his first season they finished with a .500 record at 20-20. Following that season the Knights would go on to win 12 straight conference regular season championships and appeared in the college world series on two occasions (2000, 2005). During the 2005 College World Series the Knights played in two games that set records; the first was the longest game in series history in terms of innings, when they defeated Rowan College in 16 innings 8–6 and then played in the shortest game in series history when they lost to SUNY Cortland 5–0 in 1 hour and 52 minutes.[5] Joel Holst resigned from his head coaching position prior to the 2023 season.[6] Following his resignation, Casey Chaplin was named interim head coach for the 2023 baseball season.[7]
Casey Klunder era (2024-Present)
editFollowing the 2023 season, Casey Klunder, was tabbed as the fifth head coach in program history.[8] He began his tenure at Wartburg with a 12–4 win over Grove City, with a 3–0 start to the year.[9]
Record by year
editThis is a table of the Wartburg Knights record year-by-year.[10]
Season | Coach | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
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Wartburg (Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1958–2017) | |||||||||
1958 | Earnest Oppermann | 11–7 | 7–5 | ||||||
1959 | Earnest Oppermann | 9–8 | 8–6 | ||||||
1960 | Earnest Oppermann | 7–5 | 6–4 | ||||||
1961 | Earnest Oppermann | 14–6 | 14–3 | 1st | |||||
1962 | Earnest Oppermann | 10–6 | 10–2 | 1st | |||||
1963 | Earnest Oppermann | 13–6 | 8–4 | 1st | NAIA Regional | ||||
1964 | Earnest Oppermann | 18–6 | 9–3 | 2nd | NAIA World Series | ||||
1965 | Earnest Oppermann | 3–8 | |||||||
1966 | Earnest Oppermann | 12–8 | |||||||
1967 | Earnest Oppermann | 15–5 | |||||||
1968 | Earnest Oppermann | 12–8 | |||||||
1969 | Earnest Oppermann | 11–9 | |||||||
1970 | Earnest Oppermann | 12–17 | |||||||
1971 | Earnest Oppermann | 11–19 | |||||||
1972 | Earnest Oppermann | 7–7 | |||||||
1973 | Earnest Oppermann | 9–14 | |||||||
1974 | Earnest Oppermann | 7–18 | 5–8 | ||||||
1975 | Earnest Oppermann | 13–14 | 6–0 | ||||||
1976 | Earnest Oppermann | 16–16 | 8–2 | ||||||
1977 | Earnest Oppermann | 12–20 | 10–2 | 1st | |||||
1978 | Earnest Oppermann | 16–20 | 9–3 | 1st | |||||
1979 | Earnest Oppermann | 14–11 | 11–1 | 1st | |||||
1980 | Earnest Oppermann | 9–23 | 6–6 | ||||||
1981 | Earnest Oppermann | 17–21 | 10–4 | ||||||
1982 | Earnest Oppermann | 13–19 | 7–3 | ||||||
1983 | John Kurtt | 10–22 | 6–6 | ||||||
1984 | John Kurtt | 11–16 | 9–9 | ||||||
1985 | John Kurtt | 12–15 | 10–10 | ||||||
1986 | John Kurtt | 16–22 | 14–8 | ||||||
1987 | John Kurtt | 15–20 | 11–7 | ||||||
1988 | John Kurtt | 16–20 | |||||||
1989 | John Kurtt | 14–22–1 | 10–7–1 | ||||||
1990 | John Kurtt | 12–19 | 10–10 | ||||||
1991 | John Kurtt | 10–22 | 8–8 | ||||||
1992 | John Kurtt | 9–25 | 6–15 | ||||||
1993 | John Kurtt | 4–16 | 2–8 | ||||||
1994 | Randy Moore | 17–14 | 8–8 | 5th | |||||
1995 | Randy Moore | 12–21 | 5–14 | 7th | |||||
1996 | Joel Holst | 20–20–1 | 7–9 | 4th | |||||
1997 | Joel Holst | 30–16 | 16–4 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
1998 | Joel Holst | 40–10 | 20–4 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
1999 | Joel Holst | 33–13–1 | 17–6 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
2000 | Joel Holst | 41–9 | 22–2 | 1st | College World Series | ||||
2001 | Joel Holst | 37–9–1 | 20–2 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
2002 | Joel Holst | 29–15 | 16–5 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
2003 | Joel Holst | 33–12–1 | 14–6 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
2004 | Joel Holst | 30–15 | 15–5 | 1st | |||||
2005 | Joel Holst | 37–11 | 18–3 | 1st | College World Series | ||||
2006 | Joel Holst | 27–15 | 11–5 | T–1st | |||||
2007 | Joel Holst | 28–13 | 18–5 | T–1st | |||||
2008 | Joel Holst | 27–15 | 17–3 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
2009 | Joel Holst | 28–20 | 14–10 | 4th | NCAA Regional | ||||
2010 | Joel Holst | 25–19 | 17–7 | 2nd | |||||
2011 | Joel Holst | 26–18 | 16–8 | 2nd | |||||
2012 | Joel Holst | 23–20 | 14–10 | 3rd | |||||
2013 | Joel Holst | 35–10 | 20–6 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
2014 | Joel Holst | 25–17 | 19–9 | 2nd | |||||
2015 | Joel Holst | 33–14 | 19–5 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
2016 | Joel Holst | 34–13 | 24–4 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
2017 | Joel Holst | 33–14 | 19–5 | 1st | NCAA Regional | ||||
2018 | Joel Holst | 26–13 | 15–6 | 2nd | |||||
Wartburg Knights (American Rivers Conference) (2019–Present) | |||||||||
2019 | Joel Holst | 13–26 | 9–15 | 7th | |||||
2020 | Joel Holst | 9–1 | 0–0 | Season canceled due to COVID-19 | |||||
2021 | Joel Holst | 14–28 | 12–20 | 6th | |||||
2022 | Joel Holst | 25–21 | 12–12 | 6th | |||||
2023 | Casey Chaplin | 14–21 | 9–15 | 6th | |||||
2024 | Casey Klunder | 23–19 | 12–12 | 6th | |||||
Total: | 1251–992–4 | ||||||||
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
|
American Rivers Conference tournaments
editWartburg has made 29 appearances in the American Rivers Conference tournament and 19 appearances in the tournament championship game; both of which is the most in tournament history.[11] They appeared in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023. They have an overall record of 66–40, with 10 championships, the last in 2017.[12]
NCAA Regional appearances
editNCAA Regional Results |
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1997 NCAA DIII Central Regional in Carroll, IA |
1998 NCAA Oshkosh Regional hosted by Wisconsin-Oshkosh Lost to Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 0–7 |
1999 NCAA Geneva Regional hosted by Aurora |
2000 NCAA Bloomington Regional hosted by Illinois Wesleyan Defeated Aurora, 8–7 |
2001 NCAA Bloomington Regional hosted by Illinois Wesleyan Lost to Hope, 1–2 |
2002 NCAA DIII Monmouth Regional hosted by Monmouth (IL) |
2003 NCAA Clinton Regional hosted by Mississippi College Lost to Emory, 4–10 |
2005 NCAA Bloomington Regional hosted by Illinois Wesleyan Defeated Washington University St. Louis, 4–2 |
2008 NCAA Moline, Illinois Regional hosted by Augustana (IL) Lost to Augustana (IL), 5–6 |
2009 NCAA Moline, Illinois Regional hosted by Augustana (IL) Lost to Millsaps, 3–5 |
2013 NCAA Moline, Illinois Regional hosted by Augustana (IL) Lost to Adrian, 4–5 |
2015 NCAA Waterloo Regional hosted by Wartburg Lost to Anderson (IN), 3–4 |
2016 NCAA Sauget Regional hosted by Webster Lost to Rose–Hulman, 2–7 |
2017 NCAA Sauget Regional hosted by Webster Defeated Webster, 3–0 |
NAIA Area Tournament Results |
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1963 NAIA Area 4 Tournament in Kansas City, MO hosted by William Jewell Defeated William Jewell, 3–1 |
1964 NAIA Area 4 Tournament in Waverly, IA hosted by Wartburg Defeated William Jewell, 5–2 |
College World Series appearances
editNCAA DIII College World Series Results |
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2000 College World Series in Appleton, WI Defeated Southern Maine, 2–1 |
2005 College World Series in Appleton, WI Lost to Chapman, 1–8 |
NAIA College World Series Results |
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1964 NAIA World Series St. Joseph, Mo Defeated West Liberty State, 2–1 |
† Mayville State's games were all ruled forfeits, with their opponents awarded 9–0 victories.
Professional Players
editWartburg has had seven professional baseball players and four selections in the Major League Baseball Draft since it began in 1965.[13][14]
Year | Player | Draft Round | Team |
---|---|---|---|
1967 | Robert Meyer | 49 | Minnesota Twins |
1969 | Thomas Cain | 16 | Chicago White Sox |
1970 | Virgil Erickson | 22 | St. Louis Cardinals |
2001 | Matt Thede | – | Gulf Coast League Expos |
2008 | Ryan Grant | – | Sioux Falls Canaries |
2011 | Bradley Watson | 37 | St. Louis Cardinals |
2023 | Dylan Gotto | – | Idaho Falls Chukars |
Current coaching staff
edit- Head coach: Casey Klunder
- Hitting, infield, recruiting coordinator: Tyler Willis
- Pitching: Matt Milewski
- Pitching: Dylan Gotto
- Catching: Hunter Destival
- Outfield: Jared Pirkl
- Strength and Conditioning: Ethan Hayes
- Athletic Trainer: Danny Drees
Head coaching history
editAs of the completion of 2024 season[10]
Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1958–1982 | Earnest Oppermann | 25 | 292–300–0 | .493 |
1983–1993 | John Kurtt | 11 | 192–210–0 | .478 |
1994–1995 | Randy Moore | 2 | 29–35–0 | .453 |
1996–2022 | Joel Holst | 27 | 761–407–4 | .651 |
2023 | Casey Chaplin | 1† | 14–21–0 | .400 |
2024–present | Casey Klunder | 1 | 23–19–0 | .548 |
Totals | 5 coaches | 67 seasons | 1251–992–4 | .558 |
† Casey Chaplin served as the interim head coach for the 1 season following the departure of Joel Holst.
References
edit- ^ "Brand Guidlines Wartburg College" (PDF). Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ "Baseball History Wartburg College Athletics".
- ^ "NAIA Baseball Championship Records" (PDF). www.naiahonors.com. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Petaros, Nick (May 6, 2017). "College baseball: Wartburg secures third consecutive IIAC title". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Dixon, Jim. "Championships record book". D3baseball.com. D3baseball.com. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "Wartburg College baseball coach resigns ahead of beginning of season". KWWL. February 24, 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Nick (February 24, 2023). "Chaplin named interim Wartburg head baseball coach". Waverly Newspapers. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Coleman, Rick (May 17, 2023). "Casey Klunder to become Wartburg College Head Baseball Coach". KWWL. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Woods, Ben. "Baseball Opens 2024 Season With 12-4 Win". go-knights.net. Wartburg Athletics. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Wartburg Knights Baseball Record Book" (PDF). Wartburg Knights. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Conference Baseball Tournament History". rollriver.com. American Rivers Conference. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Nelson, Jim (May 13, 2017). "College baseball: Wartburg charges into NCAA tournament". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "MLB Amateur Draft Picks who came from "Wartburg College (Waverly, IA)"". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
- ^ "ProPlayers from Wartburg". www.baseball-reference.com. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Baseball Coaches".