Running home, senior Jared Mills scores a run for the Bisons April 23, 2005, The three games against Ouachita Baptist University were the last home games o f the season. ·Jeff Montgomery Sophomore Bo Whitaker hits a grounder April 23, 2005, against Ouachita Baptist University, Whitaker was the leader in hits for Hording during the second game of the three-game series against Ouachita Baptist. ·Jeff Montgomery Final season for Bison coach a struggle Shane Fullerton's last year as head baseball coach was a season plagued with the injury ofseveral key players and some difficult losses. "There were some games we didn't produce and some games we just didn't produce enough (0 pull off a win," Fullerton said. "We also had a lot oftough injury problems, but our guys scayed strong." Seniors Brandon Kimb rough, Larry loven, Gilberro Valdez and Bobby Badger all batrled various injuries during the season. llleir absences caused a lot ofyounger players to step up and take leadership positions on and off the field, Fullerton said the freshmen came into games without the experience that the seniors had, bur they learned a lot through playing. "We have had to pur freshmen in key roles all yea r, which has thrown them in the fire early," Fullerton said. "But it has given them valuable game experience." Freshman Jon David Glenn was one of [he younger players who stepped up co lead the team. "This year we looked up to the senior guys to lead the team, but at the same rime. rhe younger guys had to pull their weight on the field," Glenn said. "We learned what good leadership was from rhe older guys." Despite the injuries, the Bisons finished the season 18-33 and many of the losses were hard-fought. close battles. "Many games in the 2005 season were very frustrating because we lost a lot ofclose ones," said sophomore Zach Fisher. "We had plenry ofralent on rhe team, but sometimes couldn't pull off the wins when we needed them." Fullerron said the ream was a good hitting team, and that they became bettcr defensively as the season continued. "We had struggled a lot, but we (didn't] make any excuses," Fullerton said. Fullerton resigned as baseball coach March 28, 2005, and accepted the assistant coadling position for me women's basketball tcam. For the 2006 season, D r. Patrick McGaha was named head coach. McGaha, who coached ar the College of the Oz.a.rks for the past four seasons, was a former H ard ing baseball player and a 1991 Harding graduate. "I am very excited about this opportunity," McGaha said. "Searcy is home to me, growing up at Harding with both parents working here. It is great to inherit the program from Shane Fullerton and build on what he has done. It is really a d ream job for me." ·Amy Ireland and Laura Kaiser Throwing the boll, senior Brandon Kimbrough pitches during the second game against Central Baptist College Feb, I , 2005 . The Bisons scored a to tal of 30 runs in its doubleheader season opener. ·Jeff Montgomery
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