KENNESAW, Ga. – The ASUN conference selected the 1996 Kennesaw State baseball season as the best year in program history on Friday.
The Owls made history in 1996, winning the NCAA Division II National Championship while posting a 48-17 record. After dropping to 5-6 through the first 11 games, KSU bounced back going 32-8 to close out the regular season.
Despite falling to rivals Columbus State in the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships, KSU got its revenge in the Atlantic Regionals downing the Cougars in a three-game series to advance to the DII World Series. The Owls swept the World Series, securing the National Championship with a 4-0 victory over St. Josephs (Ind.).
Ace Jason Childers finished the season a perfect 12-0 on the mound, including a complete game shutout in the DII National Championship, with a 2.01 ERA to earn PBC Pitcher of the Year and ABCA First Team All-America honors.
Catcher Chris Halliday and pitcher Jeff Agard also earned First Team All-PBC accolades with Halliday being named the National Championship MVP after a 3-for-4 performance that included a double, a triple and a home run for three RBIs and one run scored. Halliday finished the season with a .354 batting average, 10 home runs and 48 RBIs.
That year marked the first of four straight appearances in the DII World Series for the Owls.
To re-live the 1996 DII National Championship check out KSU's
OWLT of the Vault.
