ROCK HILL, SC –When his Winthrop Eagles team picked up its second win of the day on Sunday at the University of Miami, head coach Joe Hudak tallied his 700th career victory.
Entering the series with an overall record of 698-480-5 (.592), Hudak needed just two wins to reach the 700 mark, and his club got them both in one day. After losing the first game of the series on Friday afternoon, the Eagles took the last two games against the No. 16 Hurricanes in a double header on Sunday, winning 8-3 and 4-3, respectively.
“Seven hundred wins is a testament to his hard work and dedication,” assistant head coach Mike McGuire said. “Joe will tell you this milestone just means he is getting old, and he has had a lot of good players, but former players and peers can do nothing but respect and appreciate the baseball program he has built at Winthrop.”
Now in his 23rd year as a head coach, Hudak has led 10 teams to 30 or more wins and four (the 1995, 1996, 1999 and 2001 Winthrop teams) to 40 or more victories. He began his coaching career at Geneva College, compiling a record of 203-137 in eight seasons as the head coach. After spending three seasons working as an assistant coach at Mississippi State, Hudak came to Winthrop in 1992, where he has built a program that continues to garner national attention.
“Coach Hudak is not only a great coach, but a great person and friend,” pitching coach Kyle DiEduardo said. “It is an honor to be able to work with and learn from one of the winningest coaches in college baseball. Coach has truly built a great program here at Winthrop, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. Seven hundred wins is an outstanding accomplishment.”
Since taking the helm at Winthrop, the three-time Big South Conference Coach of the Year has led the Eagles to three Big South Conference championships, four NCAA tournament appearances and five seasons of 40 or more wins. In his 15th season with the Eagles, Hudak is just three wins away from 500, with a current record of 497-344-5 (.590) at the school.
“Coach Hudak’s 700th collegiate victory pads an already impressive resume,” assistant coach Stas Swerdzewski said. “What makes it so impressive is that Winthrop has continually played and beaten some of the best college baseball teams in the country.”
