Emory baseball enjoyed a 2006 season marked by milestones and memorable moments. The team's 31-9 record culminated with a No. 9 national ranking, tied for third best in program history.
The season was punctuated by a 19-game winning streak and the team's eighth trip to the postseason, where the Eagles advanced to the NCAA Division III South Regional. Along the way, the Eagles won the University Athletic Association (UAA) tournament, giving them their seventh conference title. Not only did Emory win all six conference games, but they outscored their UAA rivals by a cumulative score of 55-12. During the spring, the Eagles were ranked as high as No. 1, only the second time Emory has achieved that distinction.
Early in the season, the Eagles furnished head coach Mike Twardoski with his 200th career victory. Twardoski's record over seven seasons now stands at 226-89 - a winning percentage of .717, ranking 12th among active Division III coaches.
Despite playing in the baseball-rich and fiercely competitive South region, Twardoski's team put up some gaudy numbers. The team posted the fifth best earned run average in the nation, with a staff E.R.A. of 2.58. In addition, the Eagles' pitchers were fourth in strikeouts per nine innings. Sturdy righthander Jason Glushon led the staff with a 9-2 won-loss record, while posting a 1.86 earned run average in 92 innings pitched. The junior co-captain was named to the All-South Region First Team by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Junior righthander Ian Ganzer was named All-UAA first team, adding six wins and two saves, while striking out 74 batters in 69 innings. Senior righty Mike Kerfeld was overpowering from the bullpen and as a spot starter, going 5-0 in his 12 appearances and striking out 55 batters over 50 innings.
At the plate, the Eagles were relentless, batting .319 as a group and outscoring its opponents 304 to 146. UAA Player of the Year David Hissey led the Eagles with a .391 batting average and 39 runs scored. The sophomore outfielder reached base nearly half of his plate appearances, and went 24 for 26 in stolen base attempts. Sophomore infielder Frank Pfister was also named to the All-UAA team, batting .375, banging out 54 hits and leading the Eagles with 36 runs batted in. Junior catcher Griffin Baum slugged a team high .529 with 10 doubles, three home runs, 30 runs scored, and 31 runs batted in. Speedy senior second baseman Justin Gordon hit .350 while racking up 14 extra base hits and 12 stolen bases. Gordon and senior outfielder Travis Langley were named to the Academic All-District first team. Senior rightfielder Bryan Langboard was inspirational and effective, legging out a team high 14 doubles and earning All-UAA first team honors. Junior first baseman Tim Cournoyer was devastating from the left side of the batter's box, clubbing four home runs and batting .322.
American Baseball Coaches Association NCAA Division III
All-South Region
Jason
Glushon
First
Team
Encino, CA (Harvard-Westlake)
University Athletic Association Player of the
Year
David
Hissey
(one selection) West
Chester, PA (Unionville)
All-University Athletic Association
David
Hissey
First
Team
West Chester, PA (Unionville)
Bryan
Langboard
First
Team
Virginia Beach, VA (First Colonial)
Ian
Ganzer
First
Team
Morgantown, WV (Wellington, FL)
Frank
Pfister
First
Team
Los Angeles, CA (Harvard-Westlake)
Jason
Glushon
Second Team Encino,
CA (Harvard-Westlake)
Jewish Sports Review All-America
Jason
Glushon
(one team) Encino,
CA (Harvard-Westlake)
NCAA Postgraduate Scholar
Justin
Gordon
Pittsburgh, PA (Shady Side Academy)
CoSIDA Academic All-America
Justin
Gordon
First
Team
Pittsburgh, PA (Shady Side Academy)
CoSIDA Academic All-District
Justin
Gordon
First
Team
Pittsburgh, PA (Shady Side Academy)
Travis
Langley
First
Team
Atlanta, GA (Westminster)