1977 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship
Tournament Statistics
Team Statistics
Records
Cal State Stanislaus defeats Brandeis 8-5 to win the 1977 Division III Baseball Championship
Cal State Stanislaus wins second Straight Championship
Marietta, OH -- Earning its second straight title, Cal State Stanislaus took a 8-5 decision over Brandeis to capture the 1977 National Collegiate Division III Baseball Championship. Designated Hitter, Mike Romano homered and drove in three runs to lead Cal State Stanislaus. The California school is the only team to win the competition, which began in 1976, and has yet to lose a game in Division III Championship action.
The Warriors used outstanding balance in achieving their second Division III Championship. Seven starters batted .294 or better during the year, the pitching staff compiled a record-setting 2.69 ERA and the defense fielded at a sparkling .955 clip. These Warriors were at their best in post-season play, devastating the regional oppositions with three one-sided victories (wins of 20-2, 10-4 and 22-1). The competition stiffened at the World Series, but three more consecutive wins brought Cal Sate Stanislaus its second consecutive national championship. Cal State Stanislaus moved into the championship competition at Marietta College and defeated the host school 5-3. The Warriors then defeated Glassboro State (now Rowan University) 14-1, scoring a record 11 runs in the top of the ninth inning to advance to the Championship game.
1977 All Tournament Team
MVP - Rusty Kuntz, Cal State StanislausCatcher - Steve Finnegan, Brandeis; First Base - Bob DiGrazia, Brandeis; Second Base - Mike Valponi, Cal State Stanislaus; Third Base - Jim Roberts, Brandeis; Shortstop - Frank Albano, Glassboro State; Outfield - Rusty Kuntz, Cal State Stanislaus; Ed Allia, Brandeis; Rick Lancelotti, Glassboro State; Designated Hitter - Tim Peterson, Glassboro State; Pitcher - Gene Oliver, Cal State Stanislaus; Mike Lehfeldt, Cal State Stanislaus.
1977 Tournament Results
Glassboro State 11, Brandeis 3
Cal State Stanislaus 5, Marietta 3
Cal State Stanislaus 14, Glassboro State 1
Regional Playoff Results
NCAA Division III Northeast Regional: Game 1: Brandeis 3, Pace 2; Game 2: Westfield State 16, North Adams State 13; Game 3: Eastern Conn State 9, Ithaca 6; Game 4: North Adams State 12, Pace 3; Game 5: Ithaca 5, Brandeis 4; Game 6: Westfield State 10, Eastern Conn State 9; Game 7: Ithaca 7, North Adams State 1; Game 8: Brandeis 10, Eastern Conn State 5; Game 9: Brandeis 11, Westfield State 6; Game 10: Westfield State 12, Ithaca 7; Game 11: Brandeis 5, Westfield State 3. Brandeis advances
NCAA Division III Mideast Regional: Game 1: DePauw 9, Widener 6; Game 2: Marietta 4, Wilkes 1; Game 3: York 5, Wooster 1; Game 4: Widener 10, Wilkes 9; Game 5: Wooster 5, DePauw 1; Game 6: Marietta 10, York 1; Game 7: DePauw 12, York 6; Game 8: Widener 12, Wooster 9; Game 9: Marietta 13, DePauw 4; Game 10: Widener 7, Marietta 1; Game 11: Marietta 3, Widener 2. Marietta advances
NCAA Division III South Regional: Game 1: Salisbury State 25, Maryville 4; Game 2: William Paterson 2, Methodist 0; Game 3: Glassboro State 4, Lynchburg 2; Game 4: Lynchburg 2, Methodist 0; Game 5: Glassboro State 12, Maryville 1; Game 6: Salisbury State 10, William Paterson 3; Game 7: Lynchburg 6, William Paterson 5; Game 8: Glassboro State 5, Salisbury State 2; Game 9: Lynchburg 5, Salisbury State 2; Game 10: Glassboro State 11, Lynchburg 0. Glassboro State advances
NCAA Division III West Regional: Game 1: Cal State Stanislaus 20, Coe 2; Game 2: St Olaf 8, Lawrence 1; Game 3: Coe 8, St. Olaf 0; Game 4: Cal State Stanislaus 10, St. Olaf 4; Game 5: Coe 6, Lawrence 0; Game 6: Cal State Stanislaus 22, Coe 1. Cal State Stanislaus advances