ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Winthrop baseball team that advanced to the 1981 NAIA World Series and played for the national championship will be honored pregame at the Winthrop Ballpark on Saturday, Apr. 9. The only World Series team at any level in the history of the program, the '81 group's accomplishment is made more impressive by the fact that it was only in its second year of existence.
Initially, the plan was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this accomplishment during the 2021 season, but the COVID-19 global pandemic pushed the celebration to this season. The ceremony will be hosted by Andy Solomon, Winthrop's first sports information director and a 2009 Hall of Fame inductee.
Then-athletic director Nield Gordon assembled the baseball program by hiring head coach Horace Turbeville, trainer Joe McKinney, and Solomon. Not only was the baseball program established, but the men's basketball team, ticket office, sports information office, training room, and Eagle Club were as well.
The entire team was redshirted during the 1979 season to prepare for the inaugural season of 1980, a season that technically did not count (according to official records). Then, the 1981 season was a breakthrough one for the program, one that established Winthrop as a baseball program to be reckoned with and a winning tradition that has continued on.
The '81 group defeated Coastal Carolina for the NAIA District 6 championship and then got past Wingate for the Area 7 title, advancing to Lubbock, Texas for the World Series. Once there, the Eagles defeated Spring Arbor College (Mich.) 4-3, Liberty 4-1, and then-Southeastern State (Okla.) 11-10, qualifying the team for the national championship game against then-Grand Canyon College, who defeated Winthrop 12-4 for the title.
Honorees include: trainer Joe McKinney, assistant coach Butch Harris, third baseman Brian Brangi, shortstop John Burns, second baseman Curt Clifton, centerfielder Steve Davis, first baseman Eddie Eargle, pitcher Mike Elliott, second baseman Ricky Ford, right fielder Russell Gaddy, pitcher Dave Gehrke, pitcher Randy Gregory, left fielder Tommy Helms, pitcher Jamie Holt, pitcher Troy Jones, pitcher/outfielder Todd Lewis, pitcher Joe Nash, second baseman Tommy Nagle, catcher Danny Poole, left fielder Steve Sapienza, pitcher Bob Steer, pitcher Buddy Thompson, catcher Greg Whitford, and designated hitter/left fielder Chris Williams. Shortstop Don Skorup, catcher Mike Wilhelm, and head coach Horace Turbeville have unfortunately passed away.
We hope to see the stands packed, loud, and proud for the pregame ceremony on Saturday!
