The 2012 Rockhurst baseball team will be remembered for many things, including nearly becoming the second team in school history to play in the College World Series.
Rockhurst reached the finals of the NCAA Midwest Regional in Ypsilanti, Michigan behind a strong senior class and an All-American junior pitcher. Indianapolis denied the Hawks of returning to the College World Series for the first time since 1999.
The Hawks finished the season with a 35-19 record, including winning five post-season games. Head coach Gary Burns reached 600 career victories when the Hawks closed out the regular season with a 5-3 win over Illinois Springfield.
"Reaching 600 wins represents a lot of great young men and great memories over the years," Burns said in 2012. "Having a good season makes getting to 600 wins even more meaningful."
A runner-up finish in the NCAA Midwest Regional, highlighted by a pair of wins over 19th-ranked Grand Valley State, vaulted Rockhurst into the national spotlight. The Hawks moved into the national rankings at No. 24 in the Collegiate Baseball Division II poll.
Junior pitcher Mark Sappington compiled a 10-3 record with a 1.78 ERA in 96 innings. He finished with 101 strikeouts and five complete games, while limiting opponents to a .198 batting average. The 6-foot-5 right-hander was named to the 2012 ABCA and Daktronics NCAA Division II All-American baseball teams.
Sappington was selected in the fifth round (177th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft today, becoming the highest draft pick in the history of the Rockhurst baseball program.
Senior first baseman Ryan Porter, senior third baseman Scott Bradbury and Sappington received several All-Region awards. Sophomore second baseman Derrick Jones, junior outfielder Brandon Tangney and Porter were named to the NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team.
Porter led the team with seven home runs and 60 RBIs while posting a .353 batting average. He finished his four-year career with a .380 batting average, 37 home runs and 202 RBIs. Bradbury had a team-high .365 batting average while hitting five home runs and driving in 41 runs.
Bradlbury, Porter, Sappington, junior outfielder Patrick Chandler and senior catcher T.J. Dailey earned All-GLVC first team honors. Senior pitcher Mark Himmelberg, junior pitcher Josh Tols and sophomore second baseman Tyler Gans nabbed second-team all-conference accolades.
