Baseball
2009 Baseball Coaches
Beauford Sanders Image
Beauford Sanders
Head Coach
Experience: 19 Years
 
Alma Mater: University of South Carolina
 
Cumulative Record: 795-637
 
Office Phone: (270) 789-5056
 
E-mail: bwsanders@campbellsville.edu
   
Now entering his nineteenth year at the helm, Head Coach Beauford Sanders continues his quest of building one of the nation's best College Baseball Programs. A mainstay in NAIA Baseball, his nineteen years tabs his tenure as the longest of any Campbellsville Athletic Coach in the history of the University. Entering the 2009 season, he has amassed 795 victories, making him the winningest coach in the history of Campbellsville Athletics.
 
Back in the summer of 1990, Sanders accepted the job after serving as the Head Coach of North Greenville Community College. His inheritance was a program that lacked facilities, support, and wins. Through his journey, he has not only turned the program into a national power, he has made the program a desirable place to play for prospective student athletes.
 
Facility improvement includes the quarter million dollar renovation of Tiger Stadium. The complex now features state of the art sunk-in dugouts, an underground media center, and elevated seating that holds 700 fans. On top of the stadium improvements, the playing surface is professional quality. To go along with field improvements under the Sanders regimen, the Baseball program has also seen the implementation of a pro-style club house/locker room that is fully loaded with over 50 open lockers and a lounge area. The club house is also equipped with cable television, video games, coach's offices, laundry services, a weight room, and it sits inside the Hawkins Athletic Complex. In 2004, the completion of the Coca-Cola indoor training facility took place so the players may have a quality practice facility on cold or rainy days. The Astroturf facility is 10,000 square feet, equipped with high ceilings, drop down hitting tunnels, and is big enough to do modified intersquads.

 

The Tigers are coming off an uncharacteristic season as the team struggled mightily early in the season, starting 7-10. Despite the tough start, Sanders rallied the Tigers to their fourth straight MSC Championship as they knocked off University of the Cumberlands in the MSC Championship game. In the regional tournament, Campbellsville opened up with rival Trevecca Nazarene and took the tournament opener in dominant fashion, winning 21-0. After falling into the loser's bracket, the Tigers again overcame adversity as they advanced to the regional championship game for the second straight year. Their run ended as they lost to 2004 national champion Cumberland University.

 

In 2007, 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 during that year.

 

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 21st 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.
 

Sanders reached his most recent milestone on March 14th, 2006, when he amassed his 700th career win against national power Cumberland University by a score of 11-4. He will likely reach his 800th win in the 2009 season.

 
On top of success on the field, Sanders has preached life lessons into the ears of his players over the years. Known for his commitment to becoming a man off the field, Sanders has seen around ninety percent of his players graduate and many of those players have been selected as Academic All-Conference and All-Americans.
 
Sanders is well known not only in the Campbellsville community, but he is also very well known on the national level. From 2000 to 2002, Sanders served as the president of NAIA. He has also been inducted into two separate Hall of Fames: The Woodruff High School Hall of Fame, and the North Greenville College Hall of Fame.
 
Before accepting the job in July of 1990, Sanders served as the head coach at North Greenville Community College in South Carolina. Like the Campbellsville job, he had the task of building a program from scratch. His final record at North Greenville was 268-247.

 

A YEAR BY YEAR LOOK AT SANDERS' LEGACY

 

N.G.C.C.:               268-247                .518
 

1991:                     8-30                       .210                     Started 0-18, Finished 8-12

 

1992:                     26-20                    .565                      Western Division Champions

 

1993:                     20-21-1                 .488

 

1994:                     30-19                    .612                       KIAC Runner-Up

 

1995:                     41-14                    .745                       KIAC Champions

 

1996:                     37-19-1                 .661                       KIAC Champions

 

1997:                     28-25                    .539                       Mid-South Regional Appearance

 

1998:                     18-31                    .367

 

1999:                     30-22                    .577

 

2000:                     31-29                    .517                       MSC Champions

 

2001:                     31-18                    .633                       MSC Champions

 

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

 

2008:                     27-20                    .575                       MSC Champions

 

Totals:                   795-637                .555
 
                       
 -795 wins make Beauford Sanders the
winningest coach in Campbellsville history.

 

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

 
 
Sanders during the 2006 season

  

ALL ABOUT BEAUFORD SANDERS:

 

Date of Birth:                  November 21, 1953

 

Born in:                           Spartanburg, South Carolina
 

Parents:                          Beauford and Shirley Sanders

 

Siblings:                         Stanley (53) and Lisa (49)

 

Children:                        Andrea (24), Nathan (21), and Neil (19)
 
From left to right: Andrea Sanders, Beauford Sanders, Neil Sanders, Nathan Sanders
 

High School:                     Woodruff High School (SC)

 

Education:                         B.A. in Education from the University of South Carolina

                                        M.A. in Education from Furman University

 

Awards/Honors:                  2007 & 2005 MSC Coach of the year

 

Recent key Players:            Jeff Duda, 2008 NAIA All American
                                                       Donnie Johnson, 2006 MSC Pitcher of the year

                                         Morgan Carlile, 2005 MSC Player of the year

                                         Matt Antle, 2003 MSC Pitcher of the year

                                         Enrique Lazu, 1999 MSC Player of the year

 

Coach Sanders has resided in Campbellsville, Kentucky for the last eighteen years since accepting the job and he is originally from South Carolina. Off the field, Sanders is an avid hunter and fisherman.  He is also the Assistant Director of Athletics at Campbellsville University.  He takes a great deal of pride in being a devoted family man and giving his players the best possible opportunity to grow as people on and off the field.

 

Scott Hortness Image
Scott Hortness
Assistant Coach
Experience at Campbellsville: 8 years
 
Alma Mater: Northern State University
 
Office Phone: (270) 789-5087
 
E-mail: shortness@campbellsville.edu
 
Entering his 22st year coaching baseball, and his 8th 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:

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
 
2008:                     27-20    .575       MSC Champions
 
Overall:              227-142  .615        4 league championships/4 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
 
2008:                     27-20                       3.78                  Jeff Duda, 6-2, 1.15 ERA (All American)       
 
Hortness continues to maintain a track record
of healthy pitchers that throw strikes.
 
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 23rd, 1964

 
Born in: Corona, California
 
Parents: Wally and Maurine Hortness
 
Siblings: Michelle (52), Darci (51), Doug (46), and Eric (32)
 
High School: Parker Senior High School, Shortstop
 
College: Northern State University, Shortstop
 
Awards/Honors: 2 time All-District Shortstop at NSU

Randy LeBleu Image
Randy LeBleu
Assistant Coach
Experience at Campbellsville: 7 years
 
Alma Mater: Mayville State University
 
Office Phone: (270) 789-5086
 
A thirteen year coaching veteran, Randy LeBleu enters his seventh season as member of the Tiger's coaching staff. LeBleu started as the Graduate Assistant Coach of the program, before being promoted to full time status 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 four years at the helm, the lady's Volleyball team has compiled a 131-37 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 16 of Canada's finest players in the last six 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.
 
LeBleu also 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.
 
LeBleu also was an Associate Scout for the Atlanta Braves 
 
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
 
2008:                     27-20         .574       MSC Champions
 
Overall:                 213-106     .650       4 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 6 of the 6 seasons LeBleu has been on staff

 
*LeBleu has helped guide the tigers to the regional finals in 6 of his 6 years
 
*The Tigers have won 40 or more games in 2 of LeBleu's 6 years
 

*The Tigers have won 30 or more games in 4 of LeBleu's 6 years

 
*The Tigers have finished in the nation's top 25 in 4 of LeBleu's 6 years
 
*Will be the third base coach during the games

 

All about Randy LeBleu:

Birth date: September 12th, 1969

 
Born in: Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada
 
Parents: Gerald and Gladys LeBleu
 
Siblings: Rob LeBleu (44), and Rod LeBleu (42)
 
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.

Jake McKinley Image
Jake McKinley
Assistant Coach
Experience at Campbellsville: 2 years
 
Alma Mater: Bethany University
 
Office Phone: (270) 789-5086
 
E-mail: mckinleyjake@gmail.com
 
Jake McKinley enters his second and final year on Beauford Sander's staff.  He has been promoted from Graduate Assistant to Assistant Coach.  McKinley's primary responsibilities will include working with Tiger outfielders, but will also assist Scott Hortness with the Tiger pitchers.  On top of his coaching duties, McKinley will also be finishing his Masters Degree in Social Science in March of 2009, where he is completing a 150 page thesis.   

After a standout college and pro career, McKinley entered the coaching ranks in 2006 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 number nine in the nation.

 

While at Bethany, McKinley was responsible for the Bruin 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.

 

In 2008, McKinley served in his first year on the Tiger's coaching staff.  During that time, the program finished with an overall record of 27-20, took down the Mid South Conference title, and was the region XI runner up. The Tiger outfield made just five errors in 47 games last year under McKinley.  In his first year recruiting with the Tigers, McKinley aided in the signing of 17 players, 12 of which were from the west coast.

 

In the summer of 2008, McKinley was the Head Coach for the FCA Grays, a M.I.N.K League (rated 5th best summer league by Baseball America) team in Kansas City, Missouri.  In his first year at the helm of the Grays, the team broke their personal record for wins in a season. On that team, McKinley brought along Campbellsville pitcher Jon Bourassa who was a perfect 4 for 4 in save opportunities. The Grays finished an even .500 and made it to the Mid West Regional Quarter Finals.
 
McKinley was the Head Coach for the FCA Grays
of the M.I.N.K. League in 2008 
 

As a player, McKinley enjoyed a standout career at Bethany University and Cabrillo Junior College, both in Coastal 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 a career, averaging almost nine strikeouts per nine innings.

 

McKinley also played for the 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 league championship.  In their postseason run, McKinley did not allow a run in the playoffs.

 

Jake McKinley is originally from Placerville, California. McKinley is single and currently resides in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

 

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 59-40, good for a .596 winning percentage

 

*Landed his first head coaching job with Kansas City Grays of the MINK League

 

*Will be the Tigers' first base coach during games

 

*Coached two All-Americans in his 1st 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 5th, 1984

 

Born in: Placerville, California

 

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

 

Siblings: Wade McKinley (31) and Adam McKinley (27)

 

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

 

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

 

Awards/Honors: 2001, 2002 1st 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.

NAIAMSCCampbellsville University