LA GRANDE, Ore. - Eastern Oregon University Athletics and Director of Athletics Anji Weissenfluh are pleased to announce the 2021 Hall of Fame Class. This year the Mountaineers will induct the 1980 EOSC Baseball Team.

"I am excited to announce the induction of the 1980 Baseball Team as our newest member of the EOU Hall of Fame. This group of men had outstanding accomplishments on the diamond both individually and as a team. Not only did they have an impact athletically, they also played significant roles on campus and in our community," Weissenfluh said. "Their connection with Mountie Baseball remains strong and a number of these team members were instrumental in bringing baseball back to EOU. Congratulations to each of them on their induction."

The 1980 Mountie Baseball team was one of the best that EOU ever had on the diamond as this squad set multiple season records at the time, the majority of which still stand today. In the wood bat era, EOU's 1980 squad set 22 season records. A team that went 28-10, the Mountaineers ended with a win percentage of .737, the best mark in program history.

The 28 wins for Eastern was the best until the 1984 team surpassed the win record with 34. Of the 28 wins for the Mounties, they had an unbeaten streak of 19 straight wins, the longest streak in program history. Their league batting average of .339 still holds as the top mark both in the wood bat era (1968-87) and in the metal bat era (1998-current).

Defensively, this group is the best in program history. The Mounties had an overall fielding percentage of .971 and were at a .981 clip in league play, the best averages for a single season to this day. This group's high level of play was rewarded with five All-Conference selections, four All-Districts picks, and one All-American.

The 1980 Mountaineers squad went on to win the Evergreen Conference Regular Season Title and the Divisional Title. They also hosted the NAIA District 2 Playoffs that year after finishing as the runner-up in the Evergreen Conference Tournament. 

Earning All-Conference honors in 1980 for the mountaineers were John Tolan (SS), Jeff Davis (P), Bill Kean (OF), Tim Noland (OF), and Gary Davidson (1B). Tolan, Davis, Kean, and Noland all went on to be named All-District as well. Garnering Honorable Mention All-American status of the group was Tolan at Shortstop.

Players of the 1980 EOSC Baseball Team that are being inducted are as follows: John Cederholm, Grerg Corbett, Gary Davidson, Jeff Davis, Mike Farmer, Brody Gutherie, Mike Henderson, Hal Hoxe, Bill Kean, Rick Lyons, Tim Noland, Pat O'Reilly, Paul Phillips, Jim Reeve, Rich Sipe, Steve Spendlove, Ron Sprague, John Tolan, Dave Wietzel, Garry Wells, Brain Whitten, Nob Yamamoto. Coaches being inducted from the 1980 team are as follows: Head Coach Howard Fetz, along with assistant coaches Warren Wilson, Kevin Steinmetz, and Ross Taylor.

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