Kennesaw State University Athletics

It was their first and last appearance in the NAIA World Series and the Owls made the most of it. With Kennesaw State set to advance to NCAA Division II status the Owls left the NAIA a champion and brought home the university's first intercollegiate athletic national title. Led by Head Coach Mike Sansing, the Owls finished the season on a then-school record 17-game winning streak en route to a 2-0 win over top-ranked Southeastern Oklahoma in the national title game held at Sec Taylor Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. Left-handed pitcher Chris McKnight tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout in the title game earning him a spot on the All-Tournament team. He was joined on the team by second baseman Darrell Baggett, catcher Ryan Coe, first baseman David Armstrong and pitcher Todd Kirby. Additionally, Baggett won the Golden Glove Award while Kirby was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Sansing, who was named Regional and District Coach of the Year, guided the Owls to 48-14 overall record including 20-8 in conference play. His squad posted a team batting average of .330 led by outfielder Fabian Herndon's .382 mark. Coe (.369, 18 HR) set a then single-season school RBI mark with 79 and was named NAIA District Player of the Year and All-American while third baseman Perry Shiver (.371, 11 HR, 42 RBI) earned an All-American Honorable Mention. In addition, Coe, Herndon, Shiver, shortstop George Edwards (.362, 37 RBI) and pitcher John Kown (9-1, 1.88 ERA) earned All-District honors. Coe and Shiver also captured All-Region selections. McKnight finished the season with a 10-2 record and 3.15 ERA. Other key contributors included Chad Morris (10-2, 2.15 ERA), Chris Tracy (6-3, 3.59 ERA), Armstrong (.366, 34 RBI), Jerry Coffey (.313), and Steve Meyer (.279, 12 HR, 47 RBI).