Mike Jeffcoat inherited a UWF baseball program on solid foundation 21 years ago when he took over the reigns from his former coach and beloved mentor Jim Spooner.

He's naturally filled with emotional pride at what has occurred these two decades.

"It means so much to me to be from Pensacola," said Jeffcoat, a 1991 UWF graduate and former reliever who played and then coached under Spooner's direction. "There are 245 (NCAA) Division II schools in the country, and I am lucky to have a job at one of them and have it be here in my hometown. It is just such a blessing. I don't take it for granted. I come to work trying to earn my job every day."

That kind of drive, that kind of perspective, enabled Jeffcoat on March 13 to become UWF's all-time wins leader, passing Spooner on that night with his 689^th career win during the Argos 6-4 victory against Alabama-Huntsville at Jim Spooner Field.

He now has 695 wins, following consecutive victories against Georgia Southwestern, including a 9-3 win on a frigid Tuesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium in UWF's annual game at the bayfront ballpark.

UWF (20-6), ranked No. 11 in the D-2 Baseball Poll swept Union in a three-game series  this past Friday and Saturday (doubleheader) at Spooner Field. The Argos have 10 home games left. They have surpassed the season mid-point with five straight wins.

"I tried not to think about it (record win total)," said Jeffcoat, reflecting on that milestone, following Tuesday's win at Blue Wahoos Stadium. "I knew I was close. I really didn't know I was tied and that (March 13 win) was the go-ahead."

"Jim and I… he's been mentor to me," said Jeffcoat, his voice crackling with emotion. "He had two daughters and I think he embraced me like a son.

"We just had a great relationship. It was a friendship as well as a mentorship. I am just thankful to be here and take over the program and hopefully keep making great strides like we have done."
Spooner passed away in 2008, after a lengthy battle with leukemia. He was UWF's coach from 1983-2005, compiling a record of 688-521-1.

In the past 43 years, UWF has had just two head baseball coaches, which is such a rare and phenomenal occurrence across any level of baseball.

Jeffcoat has guided the Argos to all 11 of their NCAA tournament appearances, including winning the Division II national championship at the 2011 DII College World Series. His 695-308 record includes 16 seasons of 30 or more wins, four Gulf South Conference championships and potential this season for a fourth consecutive trip to an NCAA regional.

"It's just amazing that I have been here this long," Jeffcoat said. "I'm proud that I have been able to continue the legacy (Spooner) started from where the program started to where we are now.
"The future is bright. It wouldn't be possible without all the great players, the assistant coaches and the loyalty and dedication they had to build it up to where we are today. I'm proud of that."

The Argos have 19 games remaining. They have been led at the plate by fifth-year senior outfielder Zack Stokes with a team best .396 average, nine homers and .725 slugging percentage.  
Colton Dorsey has emerged as the Argos' No. 1 pitcher with a 2-1 record in five starts and 0.64 earned run average. Senior Micky Scheetz is the bullpen leader with seven saves.

"I like where we are at," Jeffcoat said. "We've gone through our lumps. We've got a couple injured guys out of the lineup right now and we are having other guys step up for us and that's why we move guys around all the time to give us different options for injury.

"I like their attitude and how they are responding. When you get to this point in the season, you always have to make adjustments. Some guys resist that a little bit and now they see they have to make the adjustments."

After dropping the final game of the homestand against Alabama-Huntsville, the Argos responded with back-to-back wins against Georgia Southwestern and a sweep of Union.

"A lot better energy, coming off the third game loss (against Alabama-Huntsville)," Jeffcoat said. "We took two of three, but really didn't play great baseball. We walked too many people, didn't execute the bunt and (Tuesday) we did all that. It was very clean baseball."

It was UWF's second consecutive year of picking up a win at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Jeffcoat has sought to play a game each year at the stadium.

"I think it is a great thing for our program," he said. "We always want to come down here (to Blue Wahoos Stadium) at least once and represent our university and our town. And let people see what kind of program we have, what kind of team we have."