1976 Arizona Wildcats baseball team

American college baseball season

1976 Arizona Wildcats baseball
College World Series Champions vs. Eastern Michigan
Midwest Regional Champions Western Athletic Conference Playoff Champions
Conference	Western Athletic Conference
CB	No. 1
Record	56–17 (12–6 WAC)
Head coach	Jerry Kindall (4th season)
Assistant coach	Jim Wing (4th season)
Home stadium	Wildcat Field
Seasons ← 1975 1977 →

1976 Western Athletic Conference baseball standings
v t e	Conf				Overall
Team	W		L	PCT	W		L	PCT
Northern
BYU ^x‍‍‍	15	–	3	.833	26	–	21	.553
Wyoming ‍‍‍	10	–	7	.588	22	–	29	.431
Utah ‍‍‍	8	–	9	.471	15	–	26	.366
Colorado State ‍‍‍	2	–	16	.111	18	–	26	.409
Southern
No. 3 Arizona State ^x‍‍‍^y	17	–	1	.944	65	–	10	.867
No. 1 Arizona ‍‍‍^y	12	–	6	.667	56	–	17	.767
New Mexico ‍‍‍	4	–	14	.222	28	–	24	.538
UTEP ‍‍‍	3	–	15	.167	9	–	25	.265

x – Division champion y – Invited to the NCAA tournament As of June 30, 1976^[1] Rankings from Collegiate Baseball

The 1976 Arizona Wildcats baseball team represented the University of Arizona in the 1976 NCAA Division I baseball season. The team was coached by Jerry Kindall in his 4th season at Arizona. The Wildcats finished with a record of 56-17 overall and placed 2nd in the Western Athletic Conference's Southern Division with a 12-4 in conference play, finishing 2nd in the WAC Southern. Arizona advanced to the postseason for the 3rd straight season and was placed in the Midwest Regional hosted by the University of Texas-Pan American at Jody Ramsey Memorial Stadium in Edinburg, Texas. The Wildcats defeated Texas-Pan American, Missouri and Texas A&M to advance to the College World Series for the 1st time since 1970 (and 10th overall). After losing their 1st game in Omaha, Nebraska to rival Arizona State, Arizona won the next 4 against Oklahoma, Clemson, Eastern Michigan and Arizona State to advance to the final game: a rematch against Eastern Michigan. The Wildcats defeated Eastern Michigan 7–1 to win their 1st National Championship in program history.

Previous Season

The Wildcats finished the 1975 season with a record of 41-13-1 and 14-4 in conference play, finishing 2nd in the WAC Southern. Arizona made the postseason for the 2nd straight season and were placed in the West Regional hosted by the University of Southern California at Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles, California. The Wildcats lost back-to-back games to Pepperdine and USC to end their season.

Personnel

Roster

1976 Arizona Wildcats baseball roster^[2]^[3]

Pitchers

• Robert Chaulk

• David Crutcher

• Bruce Ferguson

• Craig Giola

• Steve Powers

• Chuck Zopfi

Infielders

• Al Lopez

• Les Pearsey

• Bill Simpson

• Pete Van Horne

• Glenn Wendt

Outfielders

• Ken Bolek

• Robin Carlsen

• Dave Stegman

• Don Zimmerman

Catchers

• Ron Hassey

• Bob Woodside

Coaches

1976 Arizona Wildcats baseball coaching staff^[4]
Jerry Kindall - Head Coach Jim Wing - Assistant Coach

1976 Schedule and results


1976 Arizona Wildcats Baseball Game Log^[5]
Regular Season
Date	Opponent	Site/Stadium	Score	Overall Record	WAC Record
Feb 13	Pepperdine	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 13-2	1-0
Feb 14	Pepperdine	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 8-0	2-0
Feb 14	Pepperdine	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 15-3	3-0
Feb 16	Cal State Dominguez Hills	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 17-10	4-0
Feb 17	Cal State Dominguez Hills	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 11-6	5-0
Feb 20	Azusa Pacific	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	L 3-5	5-1
Feb 21	Azusa Pacific	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 9-0	6-1
Feb 21	Azusa Pacific	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 10-0	7-1
Feb 23	Cal Poly Pomona	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 4-3	8-1
Feb 24	Cal Poly Pomona	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 12-7	9-1
Feb 25	Cal Poly Pomona	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 11-7	10-1
Feb 26	San Diego State	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	L 6-7	10-2
Feb 27	San Diego State	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 11-5	11-2
Feb 28	San Diego State	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 5-3	12-2
Feb 28	San Diego State	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 14-13	13-2
Mar 1	at Grand Canyon	Brazell Field • Phoenix, AZ	L 6-7	13-3
Mar 2	Grand Canyon	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 15-0	14-3
Mar 5	La Verne	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 8-5	15-3
Mar 6	La Verne	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 9-6	16-3
Mar 8	Oklahoma	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 7-1	17-3
Mar 8	Oklahoma	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 6-3	18-3
Mar 9	Oklahoma	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 14-1	19-3
Mar 9	Oklahoma	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 9-8	20-3
Mar 11	at San Diego State	Smith Field • San Diego, CA	W 7-1	21-3
Mar 12	at San Diego State	Smith Field • San Diego, CA	L 1-5	21-4
Mar 13	at San Diego State	Smith Field • San Diego, CA	L 4-6	21-5
Mar 13	at San Diego State	Smith Field • San Diego, CA	W 6-4	22-5
Mar 15	at Pepperdine	Waves Park • Malibu, CA	L 3-4	22-6
Mar 15	at UCLA	Sawtelle Field • Los Angeles, CA	L 0-5	22-7
Mar 16	at Pepperdine	Waves Park • Malibu, CA	W 1-0	23-7
Mar 17	at USC	Dedeaux Field • Los Angeles, CA	L 3-4	23-8
Mar 18	at USC	Dedeaux Field • Los Angeles, CA	L 4-6	23-9
Mar 19	at La Verne	Galvin Park • Ontario, CA	W 10-5	24-9
Mar 20	at La Verne	La Verne Field • La Verne, CA	L 6-10	24-10
Mar 20	at La Verne	La Verne Field • La Verne, CA	W 4-3	25-10
Mar 23	Colorado	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 17-2	26-10
Mar 25	USC	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 8-0	27-10
Mar 26	USC	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 8-5	28-10
Mar 27	USC	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 8-4	29-10
Apr 1	Northern Arizona	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 14-6	30-10
Apr 2	Northern Arizona	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 9-3	31-10
Apr 3	Northern Arizona	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 6-0	32-10
Apr 8	at Arizona State	Packard Stadium • Tempe, AZ	L 2-7	32-11	0-1
Apr 9	at Arizona State	Packard Stadium • Tempe, AZ	L 9-11	32-12	0-2
Apr 10	at Arizona State	Packard Stadium • Tempe, AZ	L 5-6	32-13	0-3
Apr 17	UTEP	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 15-3	33-13	1-3
Apr 17	UTEP	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 8-1	34-13	2-3
Apr 18	UTEP	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 12-1	35-13	3-3
Apr 23	New Mexico	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 5-3	36-13	4-3
Apr 24	New Mexico	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 8-6	37-13	5-3
Apr 24	New Mexico	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 8-3	38-13	6-3
Apr 30	at UTEP	Dudley Field • El Paso, TX	W 16-0	39-13	7-3
May 1	at UTEP	Dudley Field • El Paso, TX	W 3-1	40-13	8-3
May 1	at UTEP	Dudley Field • El Paso, TX	W 10-3	41-13	9-3
May 7	at New Mexico	Lobo Field • Albuquerque, NM	W 6-3	42-13	10-3
May 8	at New Mexico	Lobo Field • Albuquerque, NM	W 6-3	43-13	11-3
May 9	at New Mexico	Lobo Field • Albuquerque, NM	W 10-4	44-13	12-3
May 13	Arizona State	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	L 1-2	44-14	12-4
May 14	Arizona State	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	L 4-9	44-15	12-5
May 15	Arizona State	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	L 9-14	44-16	12-6
WAC Playoffs
May 21	Wyoming	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 19-0	45-16
May 22	Wyoming	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 6-2	46-16
May 24	BYU	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 7-6	47-16
May 25	BYU	Wildcat Field • Tucson, AZ	W 4-0	48-16
NCAA Midwest Regional
May 28	at Texas-Pan American	Jody Ramsey Memorial Stadium • Edinburg, TX	W 5-0	49-16
May 29	vs Missouri	Jody Ramsey Memorial Stadium • Edinburg, TX	W 10-1	50-16
May 30	vs Texas A&M	Jody Ramsey Memorial Stadium • Edinburg, TX	W 8-2	51-16
College World Series
Jun 12	vs Arizona State	Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium • Omaha, NE	L 6-7	51-17
Jun 13	vs Oklahoma	Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium • Omaha, NE	W 10-2	52-17
Jun 14	vs Clemson	Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium • Omaha, NE	W 10-6	53-17
Jun 16	vs Eastern Michigan	Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium • Omaha, NE	W 11-6	54-17
Jun 17	vs Arizona State	Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium • Omaha, NE	W 5-1	55-17
Jun 18	vs Eastern Michigan	Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium • Omaha, NE	W 7-1	56-17

Midwest Regional

Midwest Regional Teams
Texas-Pan American Broncs	Arizona Wildcats	Missouri Tigers	Texas A&M Aggies

College World Series

1976 College World Series Teams
Arizona Wildcats	Arizona State Sun Devils	Auburn Tigers	Clemson Tigers	Eastern Michigan Hurons	Maine Black Bears	Oklahoma Sooners	Washington State Cougars


Upper round 1		Upper round 2		Upper final		Semifinals		Preliminary final		Final



Clemson	9

Auburn	4
		Clemson	2

		Eastern Michigan	3¹⁰
Eastern Michigan	3

Maine	2
				Eastern Michigan	2

				Arizona State	1
Arizona State	7¹⁰
						Eastern Michigan	6
Arizona	6
		Arizona State	9			Arizona	7

		Washington State	3
Washington State	6

Oklahoma	1									Eastern Michigan	1

								Arizona	5	Arizona	7

		Lower round 1		Lower round 2				Arizona State	1



				Washington State	3

		Auburn	8	Maine	6
						Arizona State	7
		Maine	9
						Maine	0
				Clemson	6

		Arizona	10	Arizona	10

		Oklahoma	2

Awards and honors

Bob Chaulk

College World Series All-Tournament Team^[6]

Craig Giola

First Team All-WAC South^[7]

Ron Hassey

College World Series All-Tournament Team^[6]
First Team All-WAC South^[7]

Steve Powers

College World Series Most Outstanding Player^[6]

Dave Stegman

First Team All-American^[7]
College World Series All-Tournament Team^[6]
First Team All-WAC South^[7]

Pete Van Horne

College World Series All-Tournament Team^[6]

Glenn Wendt

First Team All-WAC South^[7]

1976 MLB Draft

Player	Position	Round	Overall	MLB Team
Ron Hassey	C	18	422	Cleveland Indians
William Simpson	INF	20	471	St. Louis Cardinals
Ken Bolek	OF	24	550	Detroit Tigers
Bruce Ferguson	RHP	31	660	California Angels

^[8]^[9]

References

^ "College Baseball Conference Standings – 1976". boydsworld.com. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
^ "1976 Arizona Wildcats - The Baseball Cube". TheBaseballCube.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
^ "2023 BSB Media Guide" (PDF). University of Arizona Athletics. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
^ "2023 BSB Media Guide" (PDF). University of Arizona Athletics. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
^ "2023 BSB Media Guide" (PDF). University of Arizona Athletics. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "CWS record Book" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "2012 Arizona Baseball Media Guide". ArizonaWildcats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
^ "MLB Amateur Draft Picks who came from". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
^ "MLB Amateur Draft Picks who came from "University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)"". Retrieved October 18, 2012.

v t e Arizona Wildcats 1976 College World Series champions
Ken Bolek Ron Hassey Steve Powers (College World Series MOP) Dave Stegman
Head Coach: Jerry Kindall
Regular season NCAA tournament College World Series

v t e Arizona Wildcats baseball
Venues	UA Field (1929–1966) Jerry Kindall Field at Frank Sancet Stadium (1967–2011) Hi Corbett Field (2012–present)
Rivalries	Arizona State
People	Head coaches
Seasons	1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
National Championships in bold; College World Series appearances in italics

v t e NCAA Division I baseball champions
1947 California 1948 USC 1949 Texas 1950 Texas 1951 Oklahoma 1952 Holy Cross 1953 Michigan 1954 Missouri 1955 Wake Forest 1956 Minnesota 1957 California 1958 USC 1959 Oklahoma State 1960 Minnesota 1961 USC 1962 Michigan 1963 USC 1964 Minnesota 1965 Arizona State 1966 Ohio State 1967 Arizona State 1968 USC 1969 Arizona State 1970 USC 1971 USC 1972 USC 1973 USC 1974 USC 1975 Texas 1976 Arizona 1977 Arizona State 1978 USC 1979 Cal State Fullerton 1980 Arizona 1981 Arizona State 1982 Miami 1983 Texas 1984 Cal State Fullerton 1985 Miami 1986 Arizona 1987 Stanford 1988 Stanford 1989 Wichita State 1990 Georgia 1991 LSU 1992 Pepperdine 1993 LSU 1994 Oklahoma 1995 Cal State Fullerton 1996 LSU 1997 LSU 1998 USC 1999 Miami 2000 LSU 2001 Miami 2002 Texas 2003 Rice 2004 Cal State Fullerton 2005 Texas 2006 Oregon State 2007 Oregon State 2008 Fresno State 2009 LSU 2010 South Carolina 2011 South Carolina 2012 Arizona 2013 UCLA 2014 Vanderbilt 2015 Virginia 2016 Coastal Carolina 2017 Florida 2018 Oregon State 2019 Vanderbilt 2020 No tournament 2021 Mississippi State 2022 Ole Miss 2023 LSU

NCAA Division I baseball champions