The Wallace State baseball program continues to be a powerhouse in the state and on the national level under NJCAA Hall of Fame head coach Randy Putman. Since his arrival in Hanceville in 1990, Putman has recorded 21 winning seasons, advancing to the postseason in 21 of 22 years.
Putman eclipsed the 800-career wins plateau early in the 2011 season and has a career 820-327 record during 22 seasons at Wallace State. He has guided his teams to seven Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) state championships, six Southeastern Regional Championships and six World Series appearances on the NJCAA Division I level.
Wallace State seeks a return to the upper echelon of the conference in 2012, aided by 14 sophomores, a solid freshman class and Putman's longevity. Sophomore pitcher Cade Medley is among those returning this year after nabbing 2nd-team All-ACCC honors last season, finishing with a 6-3 record and a 3.07 ERA. Offensively, Conner McCain and Jud Sherrill return to the middle of the lineup. McCain led the team in stolen bases and runs last season, while hitting .286 with four homers and 16 RBIs. Sherrill is back at catcher/first base after .314 with 24 RBIs.
Catcher Andrew Dennis, a Class 6A All-State selection and state champion at Huntsville, highlights the freshman class after he clubbed 16 homers his senior year. Jacob Croft and Josh Rouse join the Wallace State rotation after being named Players of the Year for their respective classifications in high school.
Transfers Jake Montgomery, an infielder, and pitcher Bret Marks should also be key contributors for the Lions in 2012.
Putman, originally from Birmingham, has coached 30 Wallace State players who continued their careers professionally, including current major league players Texas Rangers left-hander Derek Holland, Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year, and Oakland A's starter Graham Godfrey. Putman also coached former major league outfielder Terry Jones, who played with the Montreal Expos and Colorado Rockies.
Putman's storied career has resulted in him being named the ACCC Baseball Coach of the Year in 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. He was also inducted into the Alabama Junior College Hall of Fame in 1991, the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Alabama Coaches Hall of Fame in January 2009.
Before coaching in Hanceville, Putman compiled a 152-28 career record at Tate High School in Pensacola, Fla., where he won two Class 4A state championships and coached former big leaguers Jay Bell and Travis Fryman. Putman played collegiately at Jacksonville State, earning All-Conference honors, and played professionally for three years with the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres.
Adam Scott, a former Hueytown star and Alabama pitcher, is a first-year Wallace State assistant in 2012.
For more information on Wallace State baseball, contact Coach Putman at 256-352-8247 or email Randy.Putman@WallaceState.edu.
