Campbellsville University Athletics - 2008 Baseball Coaches

Beaford Sanders

Head Coach

One of college baseball’s most successful coaches, Beauford Sanders enters his 18^th season as the head coach of the Tiger Baseball program. His 18 years at the helm marks the longest tenure of any coach in the history of Campbellsville University Baseball. Closing in on his 800^th win, Sanders is the winningest coach in the history of Campbellsville Athletics.

Sanders reached his most recent milestone on March 14^th, 2006, when he amassed his 700^th career win against national power Cumberland University. The tigers defeated Cumberland 11-4 in another brilliantly coached game. Without question, Beauford Sanders has not only built Campbellsville University Baseball into one of the NAIA’s premier programs, he has also created one of the country’s most desirable environments for student athletes.

Despite his winning ways over the last couple of decades, facilities have vastly improved under the guidance of Sanders. After taking a program from scratch back in 1990, Sanders has overseen the improvement of facilities to some of the NAIA’s finest. Campbellsville players enjoy a state of the art complex to play at that is nestled near the heart of campus. On top of that, under the Sanders regimen, the Baseball program has seen the implementation of an indoor hitting/training facility and a pro-style club house/locker room that is fully loaded with over 50 open lockers and a lounge area.

Last season, Sanders guided the Tigers to a 43-18 overall record, which was good for a #11 national ranking and a Mid-South Conference Championship. The Tigers came one game away from the super regionals, before being knocked off by 2004 national champion Cumberland University.

Sanders has proven over the years that he and his clubs are no strangers to post-season competition. The Tigers have appeared in the post season in every year but one in the 21^st century, and appeared in several playoff games in the 1990’s. In Sanders 17 years, the Tigers have appeared in 8 regional finals, coming just one game away from the College World Series back in 2007.

Before accepting the job in July of 1990, Sanders served as the head coach at North Greenville Community College in South Carolina.

Sanders in well known not only in the Campbellsville community, but he is also very well known on the national level as well. From 2000 to 2002, Sanders served as the president of NAIA. Sanders has been inducted into two separate Hall of Fames: The Woodruff High School Hall of Fame, and the North Greenville College Hall of Fame.

A year by year look at the Beauford Sanders legacy:

2002: 14-36 .280

2003: 29-17 .630 Region XI Qualifier

2004: 33-23 .589 Region XI Qualifier

2005: 43-14 .754 MSC Champions

2006: 38-14 .731 MSC Champions

2007: 43-18 .705 MSC Champions

What they’re saying about Sanders:

“Our club has been coming down to play Campbellsville for the last 10 years. I consider Beauford to be one of my best friends. Coach Sanders is truly one of the most respected coaches in the NAIA. He does a tremendous job of building lifetime character traits in young people and challenges his players to live up to those standards.”

-Tim Mead, Head Baseball Coach – Walsh University

“I’ve known Beauford since we coached against each other back when he was coaching Junior College ball in South Carolina. I will always remember him as one of the most gracious, hospitable, and classiest coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure of competing against. I know he has done a great job at Campbellsville, turning them into a national power.”

-Rob McDonald, Head Baseball Coach – Murray State University

“I know that when we play Campbellsville, it is going to be a conference series where two teams really get after each other. At the same time, I have no concern that there will be unsportsmanlike behavior, trash talk, or dirty play. That is a credit to Coach Sanders. No matter what happens in a series, Coach Sanders is a class act. I have tremendous respect for him as a person and as a coach. I am proud to say that Beauford Sanders is my friend.”

-Brad Shelton, Head Baseball Coach – University of the Cumberlands

“Coach Sanders has been a mainstay in NAIA Baseball for several years. He has built a great program at Campbellsville. I congratulate him as he reaches the milestone of 800 wins.”

-Woody Hunt, Head Baseball Coach – Cumberland University

“A true competitor and motivator on the field. It has been a pleasure battling against his clubs over the past 10 plus years.”

-Mike Talley, Head Baseball Coach – Lindsey Wilson College

Coach Sanders has resided in Campbellsville for the last 17 years. He has three children, Andrea (24), Nathan (21), and Neil (18).

Randy LeBleu

Assistant Coach

A twelve year coaching veteran, Randy LeBleu enters his sixth season as member of the Tiger’s coaching staff. LeBleu started as the Graduate Assistant Coach of the program, before being named full time in 2005. LeBleu’s primary responsibilities include working with the Tiger Infielders and hitters, as well as working with strength and conditioning. He is also the Head Volleyball Coach at Campbellsville where in his three years; the lady’s Volleyball team has compiled a 99-28 record under LeBleu.

While at Campbellsville, LeBleu has made his presence felt in more ways than one. Seeing that he is from Canada, he has helped to broaden the regions in which the Tigers recruit, bringing in 14 of Canada’s finest players in the last five seasons. On top of that, since the 2003 season, the Tiger hitters and infielders have proven to be one of the region’s best in each respective category.

On top of his assistant coaching duties at Campbellsville, LeBleu has also served as a head coach at other locations, as well as serving as a Scout for the Atlanta Braves from 2000 to 2003. In 2003, LeBleu was the head coach for the Medicine Hat Mavericks of the Western Major Baseball League where his squad won the league championship in the team’s inaugural season.

LeBleu’s next coaching stop came in the highly touted Northwood’s Summer League where in 2005 he served as an Assistant Coach for the Thunder Bay Bordercats. In his lone year with the club, they won the league championship.

His most recent summer coaching stop has been in Campbellsville, where he has been the head coach of Campbellsville American Legion Post 82 from 2006 to 2007. In 2007, LeBleu’s team went on to win the Kentucky State Championship.

On top of his success, LeBleu served as a guest coach for the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training in 2000. On top of that, LeBleu was named Canadian Coach of the Year in 2000.

Before getting into the coaching ranks, LeBleu made two stops in his college playing career, first at UND Lake Region Junior College, and he finished up at Mayville State.

As a student, LeBleu graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Mayville State, before earning his Masters Degree from Campbellsville in the same field back in 2005. Before coming to Campbellsville, LeBleu coached Team Manitoba in Canada, and also was an Assistant Coach at his alma-mater, Mayville State.

Sanders on LeBleu:

"Randy does a super job working the third base box with our offense. The implementation of his conditioning program has greatly reduced our injuries and has helped each player improve"

Since LeBleu was hired as an Assistant Coach:

2003: 29-17 .630 Region XI Qualifier

2004: 33-23 .589 Region XI Qualifier

2005: 43-14 .754 MSC Champions

2006: 38-14 .731 MSC Champions

2007: 43-18 .705 MSC Champions

Overall: 186-86 .650 3 Conference Championships

Randy LeBleu Quick Facts:

*Since arriving at Campbellsville, the Tigers have an overall record of 186-86, good for a .650 winning percentage

*The Tigers have finished over .500 in 5 of the 5 seasons LeBleu has been on staff

*LeBleu has helped guide the tigers to the regional finals in 5 of his 5 years

*The Tigers have won 40 or more games in 2 of LeBleu’s 5 years

*The Tigers have won 30 or more games in 4 of LeBleu’s 5 years

*The Tigers have finished in the nation’s top 25 in 3 of LeBleu’s 5 years

*Will be the third base coach during the games

All about Randy LeBleu:

Birth date: September 12^th, 1969

Born in: Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada

Parents: Gerald and Gladys LeBleu

Siblings: Rob LeBleu (43), and Rod LeBleu (41)

High School: Pierre Radisson Collegiate, Winnipeg, Canada, Middle Infielder

College: UND Lake Region Junior College and Mayville State University, Middle Infielder

Awards/Honors: 2 time All-State shortstop at UND Lake Region; All-Conference and All-District at Mayville State; Member of teams that won 10 provincial championships; Won two Western-Canadian Championships.

Scott Hortness

Assistant Coach

Entering his 21^st year coaching baseball, and his 7th with the Tigers, Scott Hortness has emerged as one of the region’s most highly respected Assistant Coaches. Coach Hortness serves as the Tiger’s Pitching Coach as well as the Head Coach for the Junior Varsity program. Through his stay at Campbellsville, Hortness has proven his worthiness in the program as his pitchers continue to remain healthy and they continue to put up excellent numbers as a staff.

Hired by Campbellsville in 2001, Hortness coached for thirteen previous years at three different schools which included Dakota Wesleyan University, University of South Dakota, and Northern State University. He also served as the Manager for the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association.

Since taking the helm of the Tiger pitchers, Hortness has developed staff after staff that competes and always keeps the team in games. Last season, the Tiger pitchers enjoyed a great deal of success as the staff compiled a 43-18 mark, and had a sub 4 ERA as a staff. During the 2007 run, Hortness helped guide one of the region’s best 1-2 punches in Morgan Carlile and Chris Lemay. The two pitchers combined to go 15-8 with an ERA of 2.34.

Since the arrival of Hortness to the Tiger program, the Tigers have been over .500 in six of his seven years. Six of those years, the Tigers have gone on to qualify for post season play, winning five conference championships.

In 2005, Hortness had perhaps his most successful season as the pitching staff compiled an overall record of 41-12 with a mind boggling 3.07 staff ERA. On top of that, Hortness helped guide closer Donnie Johnson to All-American Honors, and at the time, freshman Morgan Carlile finished with a 9-2 record, and a 1.85 ERA. That season, Hortness’ pitchers finished with a 277/111 strikeout to walk ratio.

As a player, Hortness played his Collegiate Baseball at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. As a player, Hortness enjoyed a successful career at NSU where he saw a majority of his action as a shortstop. While playing, Hortness was twice named an All-District Shortstop.

Hortness resides in Campbellsville and also teaches Physical Education classes at the University on top of his coaching duties.

Sanders on Hortness:

"Coach Hortness has done an outstanding job develping a solid conditioning and preperation program for our pitching staff. We have been first or second in the MSC for team ERA the past six years and have been ranked nationally in the top ten in several categories."

Since Hortness was hired as an Assistant Coach:

2001: 31-18 .633 Region XI Qualifier

2002: 14-36 .280

2003: 29-17 .630 Region XI Qualifier

2004: 33-23 .589 Region XI Qualifier

2005: 43-14 .754 MSC Champions

2006: 38-14 .731 MSC Champions

2007: 43-18 .705 MSC Champions

Overall: 236-140 .628 3 league championships/3 regional qualifiers

A look at Hortness’ pitchers over the last few years:

Year W-L ERA Notables

2004 33-23 4.83 Andrew Koop, 7-3, 2.17 ERA

2005 43-14 3.07 Donnie Johnson, 1.12 ERA 11 Sv.

2006 38-14 3.23 Donnie Johnson, 0.00 ERA in 25 IP

2007: 43-18 4.04 Morgan Carlile, 7-4, 2.17 ERA

Scott Hortness Quick Facts:

*Since arriving at Campbellsville, the Tigers have an overall record of 236-140, good for a .628 winning percentage.

*In each of the last five seasons, the Tigers have had at least one pitcher with an ERA of under 3.00.

*The Tiger pitching staff has consistently been one of the region's best in strikeout/walk ratio

*The Tigers have been ranked 1st or 2nd in the MSC in team ERA for the past six years.

*Also the program's Head Junior Varsity Coach.

All about Scott Hortness:

Birth Date: September 23^rd, 1964

Born in: Corona, California

Parents: Wally and Maurine Hortness

Siblings: Michelle (51), Darci (50), Doug (45), and Eric (31)

High School: Parker Senior High School, Shortstop

College: Northern State University, Shortstop

Awards/Honors: 2 time All-District Shortstop at NSU

Jake McKinley

Grad Assistant

Jake McKinley enters his first year with Tigers and will serve as the Graduate Assistant Coach. McKinley’s primary responsibilities will include working with Tiger outfielders, but will also work some with hitters and pitchers. On top of his coaching duties, McKinley will also be finishing his Masters Degree in Social Science.

After a standout college and pro career, McKinley entered the coaching ranks in 2006-2007 at Bethany University in California where he served as an Assistant Coach under Chris Lewis. At the same time, McKinley was also the Assistant Coach under Joe Gerber for the All Star Academy Titans, a 16-under club team that was ranked in the nation’s top ten.

While at Bethany, McKinley was responsible for the Bruin Outfielders and Pitchers. In his lone year at his alma-mater, the Bruins finished with a 31-20 record, good for the best record in the history of the program. He also coached All-Americans J.P. Lapointe and Mark Koski. In 2007, Bethany broke virtually every single season record as a team. While at Bethany, the Bruins brought in the biggest recruiting class in the history of the program under McKinley.

As a player, McKinley enjoyed a standout career at Bethany University in California, as well as Cabrillo Junior College in California. While at Cabrillo, McKinley finished his lone year with all-conference honors and was named pitcher of the year. McKinley continued the trend at Bethany as he was twice named pitcher of the year, and once named Most Valuable Player. A two way player, McKinley is third all time in career homeruns, and still holds most pitching records for a career and single season, including most strikeouts in career, averaging almost nine strikeouts per nine innings.

McKinley also played for the elite Yuba Sutter Gold Sox, a summer collegiate team in Marysville, California. One of two NAIA players picked in the country to play on the team, McKinley put together a career 2.36 ERA, and still holds the organization’s record for most appearances in a single season.

After a successful collegiate career, McKinley signed a pro contract as a free agent and spent two seasons with the Golden Baseball League’s Chico Outlaws, in California. As a rookie, McKinley set and still holds the league record for fewest hits per nine innings (5.4 hits/9 innings). He served as a starter, middle reliever, and a closer in his two years. In his final year of pro ball, McKinley was a starting pitcher on an Outlaws team that went on to win the championship.

Originally from El Dorado California, McKinley will be with the Tigers for the next two seasons. McKinley is single and currently resides in Campbellsville.

Sanders on McKinley:

"Jake is a welcomed addition to our program and will assist in every facet. He will serve as the first base coach and he will structure our outfield defense."

Jake McKinley Quick Facts:

*As an Assistant Coach, McKinley’s career college coaching record is 31-20, good for a .608 winning percentage

*In his lone year at Bethany University, the team hit .327

*Will be the Tigers' first base coach during games

*Coached two All-Americans in his 1^st year as a college coach

*Brought in biggest recruiting class in Bethany University history

*All time strikeout leader in Bethany University history

All about Jake McKinley:

Birth date: October 5^th, 1984

Born in: Placerville, California

Parents: Clint and Denise McKinley, and John and Vicky Kelso

Siblings: Wade McKinley (30) and Adam McKinley (26)

High School: Union Mine High School, El Dorado, California, Pitcher/1B

College: Cabrillo Junior College and Bethany University, Pitcher/1B

Awards/Honors: 2001, 2002 1^st team All-Conference at Union Mine High School; 2003, 2004, 2005 Pitcher of the year at Cabrillo Junior College and Bethany University; 2005 Most Valuable Player at Bethany University.

Campbellsville vs	21
Trevecca Nazarene University	0
NAIA Region XI Tournament @ Lebanon, TN

Campbellsville at	5
Cumberland Univ.	5
NAIA Region XI Quarterfinal Winner's Bracket; Game suspended after 8 innings, and will be resumed at 9:00 am tomorrow morning.