CUMBERLAND – Cumberland High School baseball coach Mark Fuller picked up his 400th career win Tuesday with an 11 to 3 victory over Luck.
The Beavers had to come from behind, as Luck scored in the first inning and picked up two more runs in the second to secure an early 3-1 lead.
Cumberland rallied in the second inning as shortstop Nolan Scheps picked up one of his first of four hits on the day and scored on a error by Luck third baseman Bryson Clemson who dropped a Graham Severson pop up.
After the third inning, it was all Beaver baseball as freshman Brady Rose nailed a 350 foot homerun to the left field game to drive in three runs. Luck’s pitching grew weary and the Beavers scored again in the fourth inning off five walks. Tommy Zappa knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice in the fifth inning and then pitcher Graham Miller secured the victory striking out three in the seventh.
“Well, the team came through with a nice effort,” said Fuller who was swarmed by his team after the game. “It meant a lot to me with several friends and my wife Barb being there to congratulate me after the game.”
Assistant coach Joe Waite presented Fuller with an autographed team baseball and there will be a celebration at the field this evening to pay tribute to Fuller and his 400 career victory.
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME..
“I’ve always loved baseball, even as kid,” said Fuller who used to play in the yard next to his house for hours and listen to the Braves games on his grandfather's porch in the summer.
“I remember playing games as a kid in little league in Unity, which is near Colby and spending time with my cousin on his farm near Neillsville, where we would throw to each other against the barn after chores.”
Fuller said he feels lucky to have been a coach. Starting out at the junior varsity level for three years, he took over the head coaching job at Cumberland in 1980.
“Most of my 30 plus years, I've spent from 8:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night at the field in the summer coaching all ages in baseball. There has been a lot of sacrifice by my family, including my wife Barb and daughters Jana and Carley,” he said.
It took a few years for Fuller to establish a solid baseball program at Cumberland, but what followed was 22 straight winning seasons from 1983 to 2006. Included in the mix were nine conference titles and four trips to the State Tournament. "I don't want to forget the coach I admire most who helped shape my coaching ideas every year. Mike Dee, head coach from UIC in Chicago. Formerly a three time state champ at La Crosse Aquinas. A great coach who is always looking for new ways to motivate and improve players and coaches alike," said Fuller.
In his 29th year coaching Beaver baseball, Fuller’s team posted a 7 – 15 record last season bringing his overall coaching mark to 387 wins and 192 losses.
Fuller picked up his 399th victory last Thursday with a 13-0 non-conference victory in five innings over Frederic.
Wisconsin coaches who recently eclipsed 400 wins include Jack Friese of Cedarburg, Richard Sykes of Nicolet, Tom O’Connell of Burlington Catholic, Ron Kading of Potosi and Don Williams of Hortonville.
Tim O’Driscoll of Hartland Arrowhead has topped 700 wins in his career and John Ball of New Richmond is on his way to 550 victories.
BIGGEST THRILLS FOR FULLER …
1. Each State Tournament appearance. The 2-1 loss to Hortonville in 1998 Championship game a big thrill.
2. Building our new field seven years ago, now one of best in State.
3. Working with great assistants and good friends like Eric Zorr, Joe Waite, Randy Bielmeier
4. Meeting great people like Bill Smith Twins GM, Marty Paulsen, Jay Buckley, Tom O'Connell, Ron Kading, and Tom Wilson from around the state.
5. Traveling to Europe with John Vodenlich of UW-Whitewater to teach baseball the past two years. (Slovenia and Croatia)
6. Seeing past players continuing in college or city league's around the areas. At one time we had five different players pitch in a college game in one spring. Pretty neat. Jay Gagner pitched for Division 1 Minnesota, going 18-8 in his career.
7. Traveling around country and Canada speaking at coaching clinics with my good friend Marty Paulsen.
8. Traveling around country seeing baseball games as a Jay Buckley Tour host.
Baseball's a great sport. I've been extremely fortunate to have been able to coach it and spend a majority of my life in some capacity