PHOTO GALLERY

It was a memorable reunion for the 1983 Baseball Team this past weekend on campus, as members from the infamous national runner-up squad reconvened to celebrate their success 40 years later.

The group, enshrined into the Otterbein Athletics Hall of Fame back in 2009, was the first team in school history (across any sport) to make it to a national championship game.

Led by legendary coach Dick Fishbaugh, the Cardinals beat rival Marietta in the title game of the Ohio Athletic Conference southern division and then again (later on) to kick off the NCAA Division III World Series.

After enduring a setback to North Carolina Wesleyan, the team rallied to win twice more and set up a classic winner-take-all-showdown with Marietta. Although the Cardinals lost that finale, the exciting run propelled Otterbein onto the national map and began greasing the wheels for success in future years/decades.

"It was very exciting and emotional, just having all these teammates back together," said catcher Mike Goodwin, a co-captain from the 1983 team. "We had a lot of fun reflecting on so many memories and inside jokes…

"We were scrappers and had a nucleus of guys from different areas." Goodwin added. "Everyone had an outstanding work ethic and came together as one family."

The team was originally scheduled to be recognized between games of a doubleheader with Baldwin Wallace on Saturday, but an inclement weather forecast forced a postponement into Sunday. With travel plans and other arrangements already made, the program still hosted the 1983 team for an on-campus lunch and introduction to the current set of players.

"It was a great experience and really cool seeing them get back together, with how close they are," said current third baseman Brayden Carter. "Some things change over time but it was awesome realizing that we also still do some stuff they did in college. I appreciated getting to talk with them and gain some knowledge."

The 1983 group saw multiple players go on to the professional ranks, while others began successful careers outside of baseball. Their efforts launched momentum for the program's first outright OAC Championship in 1989.

The current Otterbein team stands 22-11 overall and 7-7 within conference play at the moment, with the next outing(s) scheduled for this Saturday at Muskingum.