Smith College

The 1978 Baseball Team captured the school’s first-ever NCAA Championship, defeating host institution Marietta in the final. Glassboro State became just the third Division III national champion in the history of collegiate baseball as it compiled a 29-11 overall record.
 
In the title game, a combination of solid hitting and solid pitching helped the Profs to the 5-3 victory. Tournament MVP Bob Pfeffer picked up his second complete-game win, with a seven-hitter in the final and Dino Hall, Tom Peterson and Ralph Wendell each drove in a run for the Profs. Glassboro State took the 2-1 lead in the second inning by way of singles from Chuck Peale, Tim Peterson, Bob Holden and Tom Peterson. Marietta tied the game in the fourth but Wendell’s double and Hall’s single broke the deadlock, 4-2 in the fifth inning. Both teams added a run in the eighth for the final score.
 
A number of outstanding defensive plays were also key to the victory. Brendan Rosenberg had a remarkable catch in center field just as the ball was leaving the park in the fourth inning that prevented two Marietta runs. He recorded another game-saving play in the eighth with a diving catch, while Hall followed with a catch that duplicated Rosenberg’s play. In the fifth, Tim Peterson went back to the right field fence to catch a line drive and doubled off the runner at first base.
 
Joining Pfeffer on the All-Tournament Team were  Bob Holden, Tom Peterson, Tim Peterson and Hall.
 
In the championship, the Profs defeated Cal State Stanislaus (4-3) and Ithaca (7-1) before dropping an 11-10 decision to Marietta, before rebounding to defeat the Pioneers and win the title.
 
The conference champion Profs advanced through the NCAA South Regional at Salisbury, first defeating Upsala, and after a loss to the host team, won four straight over Montclair State, Salisbury and Lynchburg (two wins).
 
(Roster) Bob Adams, Frank Albano, Andy Aldino, Bill Baldwin, Tim Brown, Norm Charlesworth, Art Cougle, Bob Cullen, Don DeJoseph, Gary DiGiacomo, Dominic DiPietrantonio, Mike Dorick, Ted Dupnock, Rich Fernicola, Mike Fitzgerald, Pat Garris, Bud Goebel, Steve Grizer, Dino Hall, Bob Holden, Frank Izzi, T. Scott Leisher, George Malek, Matt McArow, John McBurnie,  Steve Murray, Charles Peale, Tim Peterson, Tom Peterson, Bob Pfeffer, Richard Racobaldo, Bob Reynolds, Brendan Rosenberg, Brian Scalise, Tak Upshur, Otis Walls, Ralph Wendell, Robert Zingaro
Coach Mickey Briglia, Assistant George Gerstle