July 1, 2006

The Samford baseball team surpassed all pre-season expectations, winning the school's first regular-season OVC Conference title, setting a school record for wins (34) and setting an OVC record for conference wins (21).

Two members of Samford's first ever nationally ranked recruiting class also helped make school history. The 2006 squad produced the programs first Division I All-American when junior pitcher Josh Ehmke was named an All-American by Collegiate Baseball. Freshman shortstop Michael Marseco was named to Collegiate Baseball's Freshman All-America team.

Ehmke, in addition to being named All-American, was named the OVC's Pitcher of the Year, and Head Coach Casey Dunn was named the league's Coach of the Year. Ehmke, Marseco, third baseman Parker Gargis and relief pitcher Joseph Edens were named to the first-team All-Conference team, while designated hitter Garrett Rice was named to the second team.

Marseco and right-handed pitcher David Knapp were also named to the league's All-Freshman team.

The Bulldogs came up just short of an NCAA tournament berth by falling in the finals of the Conference tournament despite leading the entire game heading into the final inning.

The non-conference portion of Samford's schedule was highlighted by a win at 19th-ranked and Super Regional participant Ole Miss, sweeping Sun Belt Conference champion and NCAA Regional participant Troy and a win over Auburn. The Bulldogs also split two games with Big South regular-season champion Birmingham-Southern.

In conference play, Samford won all but one of its regular-season series. The Bulldogs led from start to finish in conference play, opening with a three-game sweep at Murray State.

The 2006 season was the best in the history of the Samford baseball program, and the Bulldogs look to make even more history in the future.