Robbins named NAIA National Coach of the Year
Zachary Shore, LCSC
LEWISTON, Idaho – After leading the Lewis-Clark State College baseball team to a second consecutive NAIA National Championship and 18th in program history, Jeremiah Robbins was named the NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year on Monday.
“I am truly honored to receive this award,” said Robbins. “I have been blessed with a phenomenal group of players, assistants and administrative staff at LCSC; it is and always will be a team effort.”
Lewis-Clark State claimed the national championship; it’s second in four years under Robbins, by defeating top-seeded Faulkner in the title game of the 60th-annual Avista NAIA World Series. In that contest, the teams combined for 11 home runs, a World Series record, with six coming off the bats of LCSC in a wild 12-11 victory. It’s the second time in as many seasons the Warriors have won the championship as the fourth seed.
“It was a special season. We had a lot of turnover from the 2015 team and knew going in that we had a lot of work that needed to be done. This year’s Series was the toughest we’ve had playing the one seed twice, the two seed, three seed and five seed, but the chemistry and focus from our guys was rock solid,” added Robbins.
In four seasons as the LC skipper, Robbins has led the Warriors to four World Series title games and amassed a record of 190-44 including a 52-8 mark in 2016. He led the Warriors to their first ever NAIA West tournament championship in the programs first appearance at the tournament while going 30-5 in league play. LCSC also topped the postseason coaches’ poll as a unanimous No. 1 selection.
“We have been fortunate over the last four years to get the right guys that fit our system and I tip my hat to them,” said Robbins. “They have been through a lot and have done some special things for this program. My assistants are grinders that give me and the program 100 percent every day and I can’t thank them enough. I am proud to represent the NAIA and LCSC. It’s awesome to be part of two organizations that do it right.”
Under Robbins’ leadership, the Warriors led the NAIA in total doubles (171) and doubles per game (2.85) while also ranking seconding fielding percentage (.975) and fourth in earned run average (2.80). Jacob Zanon led the nation in runs scored per game (1.429) with J.J. Robinson and Quin Grogan ranking third in runs batted in (82) and opponent batting average (.175), respectively.
The aforementioned Robinson (second-team) and Zanon (honorable mention) took home NAIA All-American honors with the former being the fifth Warrior under Robbins to garner either first- or second-team distinction.
Robbins also added to his list of draftees as four players, Jake Barnett, Noel Gonzalez, Quin Grogan and Zanon were each selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft, bringing the four-year total of the Warriors head coach to 10.