1976 Arizona Wildcats baseball team


The 1976 Arizona Wildcats baseball team represented the University of Arizona in the 1976 NCAA Division I baseball season. The team was coached by Jerry Kindall in his 4th season at Arizona. The Wildcats finished with a record of 56-17 overall and placed 2nd in the Western Athletic Conference's Southern Division with a 12-4 in conference play, finishing 2nd in the WAC Southern. Arizona advanced to the postseason for the 3rd straight season and was placed in the Midwest Regional hosted by the University of Texas-Pan American at Jody Ramsey Memorial Stadium in Edinburg, Texas. The Wildcats defeated Texas-Pan American, Missouri and Texas A&M to advance to the College World Series for the 1st time since 1970. After losing their 1st game in Omaha, Nebraska to rival [1976 1976 Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team|Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team|Arizona State], Arizona won the next 4 against Oklahoma, Clemson, Eastern Michigan and Arizona State to advance to the final game: a rematch against Eastern Michigan. The Wildcats defeated Eastern Michigan 7–1 to win their 1st National Championship in program history.

Previous season

The Wildcats finished the 1975 season with a record of 41-13-1 and 14-4 in conference play, finishing 2nd in the WAC Southern. Arizona made the postseason for the 2nd straight season and were placed in the West Regional hosted by the University of Southern California at Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles, California. The Wildcats lost back-to-back games to Pepperdine and USC to end their season.

Awards and honors

;Bob Chaulk
  • College World Series All-Tournament Team
;Craig Giola
;Ron Hassey
  • College World Series All-Tournament Team
  • First Team All-WAC South
;Steve Powers
;Dave Stegman
;Pete Van Horne
  • College World Series All-Tournament Team
;Glenn Wendt
  • First Team All-WAC South