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| Salem State head coach Mike Ward with third baseman Dan Connors. Salem State athletics photo by David Le |
Salem, Mass. – Salem State head baseball coach Mike Ward has announced his resignation after leading the program for four seasons. The Vikings went 106-66-1 during Ward's tenure, which included four Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) regular season titles, three postseason championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances.
"I greatly appreciate the six years that I have coached at Salem State University, and I am very thankful for the players and coaches that I had the opportunity to work with," expressed Ward in a statement. "Playing in the MASCAC playoffs and NCAA Regionals was special for all of us. I enjoyed competing against some great coaches and teams. I also really appreciate all of the support from the families of our players, friends and fans of our baseball team and the alumni. This has been a great experience for me, and I know that this program will continue to succeed."
The 2013 MASCAC Coach of the Year directed Salem State to its most successful four-year period in school history, as the Vikings had just one NCAA Tournament victory in its archive before claiming four over the past two seasons. Ward coached 20 all-conference and seven all-region team members during his term, culminating this year with the selection of Richard Fecteau in the 2016 Major League Baseball amateur draft.
Ward served as the associate head coach for two seasons prior to becoming the head coach in 2013. He joined former head coach Ken Perrone's staff in 2010 after leading the Salem High baseball team for six seasons.
"Mike Ward's tenure as Salem State's head baseball coach has produced one of the finest legacies in New England as well as across the country," said Salem State athletic director Peggy Carl. "The players on his teams have excelled on the field, in the classroom, and as strong contributors to the Salem State community. Mike has been synonymous with success and I have the utmost respect for the program he has built. His dedication to the program and to the university will be greatly missed. On a personal level, I want to wish him and his family nothing but the very best."