Rookies Gain Experience Despite some promising individual performances, the baseball Bisons did not seem to have what it took for a winning season in 1978. The blow of a dismal 1-13 conference record was not softened appreciably by an 8-19 overall mark for the year. However, freshman catcher-outfielder Mike Moody did back last spring's trend, belting opposing pitchers for 23 hits with a .377 batting average. The Wake Village, Texas , native earned himself a position on the 1978 AII-AIC squad. Moody was joined by deSignated hitter "Corky" French on the AII-NAIA District 17 team. French compiled a .330 average at the plate, connecting for 29 hits and six home runs. BASEBALLA young team with 12 freshmen players in its ranks swept to a 18-0 victory ove r Rust College in the season opener. An initial feeling of optimism was short-lived, however , as tough pitching and big scoring drives from opponents victimized the Bisons, who were handed losses in their next five outings. Included in that string was the AIC opening doubleheader with College of the Ozarks which ended with scores of 10-8 and 9-3. Coach Dick Johnson 's diamondmen never quite recovered from that fiveloss tailspin , Iwith the rest of the season progressing from what could be described as uneven to plummetive to the ground. At midseason, the baseballers shut out Augustana 4-0 and 5-0 , lost to the Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech 10-5 and 2-0, and defeated Philander Smith 11-1 and 13-1. As the season's end approached, victories seemed to elude the Bisons more and more. Though several players - among them Mike Lynch and Mark Kay - still ranked among the league 's leading hitters , the. team was plagued with errors, poor defensive play, and an unnecessary amount of walking. Defeat was met at the hands AIC opponents Ouachita Baptist, the University of Arkansas at Monticello, the University of Central Arkansas and Southern Arkansas University. About the only consolation the '78 Bisons had was the knowledge that almost the entire squad would return for the '79 season with one disappointing year chalked up to experience. 1_ AFTER a hit into the outfield, Mike Claussen sprints toward second base . 2. WITH accuracy and power, pitcher David Stotelmyer hurls the ball over the plate. 3. DEMONSTRATING his baseball skill, Cor· ky French follows through with his swing. 4. EYEING the batler, pitcher Mike Scott winds up for the pitch, hoping for a strike. 5. BASEBALL TEAM_Front Row, Whitmire , Garnett, Rogers, Mills, Moody, Cowden , Holloway , Claussen, Tracy, A. Johnson . Back Row : Coach Johnson , Queen, Kays, Stewart, Ulrich, French, J. Stewart, Scott, Smith, Stotelmyer, Beam, Coach White. 6. CORKY FRENCH slices into the ball for a base hit. Baseball ~ 143
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