The 1994 Baseball Team finished its season with a 34-16 record to become Peru State College’s winningest team over nearly 40 years of competition. The 34 wins is still the fourth-most in Bobcat history, and its .680 winning percentage is still second-best in 77 years.
In addition, the 1994 squad was the first to compete in the NAIA District Championship where they finished as runner-up. During the season, the team defeated NCAA DI Kansas State and NCAA DII UNO and UNK.
This team had a significant role in bringing the baseball program to its current location near the Centennial Complex. Team members built the fence, erected a batting cage, and built the dugouts by laying railroad ties for the floor and framing the dugout with metal walls and roof.
A total of 15 school single-season records were set by the team including most wins, hits, runs scored, doubles, triples (22 is still the top mark), at-bats, stolen bases (99 is still the top mark), walks, put-outs, assists, innings pitched, shut-outs, and games played.
Two single-game marks were set including most assists in a game (20 which is tied for Peru’s top mark) and runs scored in an inning (15 is still the top mark).
Several players are still in the Top 20 in various single-season and career categories.
Nine different individuals set individual marks during the campaign. Two players were named the all-district first team with two more being recognized for pitcher/player of the week district honors.
Dan Johnson was the head coach for the team while Jerry LeFever served as the assistant coach.
Members of the team on the roster, had statistics, and their hometown at the time included: Pitchers – Tony Duffek (Lincoln, Neb.), Mark Elsener (Lincoln, Neb.), Shawn Exner (Calgary, Alberta, Can.), Greg Formanski (Edmonton, Alberta, Can.), Scott Kier (Grand Island, Neb.), Chris Michael (Torrington, Wyo.), and Chris Raabe (Red Oak, Iowa); Catchers – Matt Grewe (Gering, Neb.) and Greg Larsen (Council Bluffs, Iowa); Infielders – Greg Bentz (Morinville, Alberta, Can.), Scott Bullock (Torrington, Wyo.), Matt Miller (Papillion, Neb.), Wes Patch (Aspen, Colo.), Duncan Patterson (Papillion, Neb.), and Dallas Williams (Brooks, Alberta, Can.); and Outfielders – BJ Coburn (Council Bluffs, Iowa), Dan LaJoie (Edmonton, Alberta, Can.), Andy Plummer (Lincoln, Neb.), Raabe, and Steve Young (Torrington, Wyo.). In addition, Mike Maroney (Omaha, Neb.), was a returning senior and expected to contribute, but suffered an injury prior to the season.
