West Liberty, W.Va. – While some things may be different on the hilltop than what they were 60 years ago, some things still remain the same. One of those constants is the impact that the 1964 Hilltopper baseball team still has on the campus and in the community. As you drive into campus, you'll find the banner commemorating the university's first national title hanging on the side of the building that houses the current locker room, leading to what is now known as Kovalick Field, in honor of the national title winning coach.

This past fall the 1964 West Liberty baseball team was inducted into the West Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame, and Saturday afternoon they came together once again to reminisce about the historic feat. Even though the group was set to be recognized in-between a non-conference doubleheader match-up with West Liberty and Salem this afternoon, recent rain showers deemed the field unplayable and pushed the series back a day. However, that didn't stop the memorable day from happening as teammates, family members, and friends moved into the Belmont Savings Bank Practice Facility. During the reunion they shared a catered meal, were recognized with plaques from the athletic department commemorating the 60^th anniversary of the title, and shared stories of their playing days.

West Liberty lost its opening game in the double-elimination tournament in the NAIA World Series in St. Joseph, Missouri, dropping a heartbreaking 2-1 contest to Wartburg (Iowa) in a 16-inning marathon, but Coach George Kovalick's Hilltoppers didn't lose again. Led by twin mound aces Joe Niekro and Frank Ujcich, West Liberty rolled through the consolation bracket, capped by a 5-0 shutout of Georgia Southern in the consolation final. The Hilltoppers then swept heavily-favored Grambling State by scores of 6-4 and 3-2 to bring the championship trophy back to the hilltop.

Ujcich was voted World Series MVP after hurling a record 22 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. Niekro also excelled on the mound, highlighted by a 10-inning complete-game win against Sam Houston State, while freshman Joe Doerr led all hitters with a .468 batting average. Ujcich, Fred Chambers and Floyd Shuler were honored as NAIA All-Americans.

Rounding out West Liberty's national championship roster were Jim Benedetto, Dave Forgash, Bob Kota, Dave Kovalick, Gerry Kraynick, Gordon Long, John Pavlisko, Glenn Petty, Ray Prantil, Ron Romanoski, Dave Scherr and Gary Zelinski.