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1981 State Champion Baseball Team | 1981 | Monterey High School | Baseball

The 1981 Monterey Plainsmen Baseball team etched their name in history with a remarkable 38-4 record and a State Championship, the third for the Monterey program under Coach Bobby Moegle. The Monterey record that season was the best in Texas. Their dominance began with a 15-2 record in non-district play and continued through district competition, where they posted a 15-1 record to take another District Championship.

In postseason play, Monterey defeated an always tough Amarillo team in a thrilling Bi-District series (2-1; 4-5; 16-3). Nathan Swindle led the way from the mound against the Sandies, securing both wins. In the second round of the playoffs, the Plainsmen beat El Paso Eastwood 6-1 and 5-3. The next round of the playoffs would determine the team that would advance to the State Tournament. Powered by pitching from Swindle, Travis Walden, and Rick Dillman, as well as strong defense from Scott Reid and David Faulkner, Monterey took down a good Lewisville team 5-1 and 6-2 to advance.

At the State Tournament, the Plainsmen opened with an 11-4 win over Nacogdoches, setting a new state record with nine stolen bases in a single game. That win set up a title game with Pearland, the defending State Champions. Interestingly, the Head Coach for Pearland was a former Monterey player, and 1971 graduate, Bill Bratcher. The Plainsmen defeated Pearland 7-3 to claim the State Championship. Monterey stole three more bases to give them 12 in the two games and set a new State Tournament record. Walden and Dillman combined for seven solid innings on the mound in the championship game. It took six days to play the State Tournament due to 13 inches of rain in Austin.

Doug Hatch, Scott Reid, David Faulkner, Shawn McClain, and Steve Coleman were selected to the All-State Tournament Team. In addition, Coleman was also selected to the All-State Team as a catcher and to the THSBCA All-Star Game in Houston. He finished the season hitting .542 with 64 hits, 21 doubles, and 60 RBIs. All-District players for the Plainsmen were Travis Walden, Nathan Swindle, Rick Dillman, Scott Reid, David Faulker, and the MVP, Steve Coleman. Reid set a new school record with 34 walks for the season.

Blending dominant pitching, aggressive base running, and clutch performances, the 1981 State Champion Monterey Plainsmen remain as one of the most accomplished teams in school and state history.