That historic 1990 season, when the university was known as Philadelphia Textile, saw the Rams set a school record with a 38-16-1 mark and earn a berth in the NCAA Division II World Series in Montgomery, Ala.
The Rams started the season strong, winning eight of their first nine games and outscoring their opponents by over 3.5 runs per contest. They finished the regular season on a hot streak, going 11-1 over their last 12 games, including four consecutive shutouts, to enter the postseason with a 29-11-1 record.
After going 2-2 in the Eastern College Athletic Conference playoffs, Philadelphia was named the top seed and host for the NCAA Northeast Regional. The Rams opened the regional with an 8-7 victory over Indiana (Pa.) and then defeated Norfolk State twice, 7-1 and 8-7 in 13 innings, to advance to the World Series.
Two key players behind the Rams' success that year were Ira Prince and Dave Heineman. Prince, a senior center fielder and a product of George Washington High School, led the team with a .405 batting average. He earned third-team All-American honors and was named first-team All-Atlantic Region.
Prince set school records for runs scored (59), hits (75), total bases (111), and stolen bases (29) in a single season.
Prince played a crucial role in Textile's 8-7 victory over Indiana of Pennsylvania in the first round of the North Atlantic Regional tournament on May 17, hitting a home run in the top of the ninth inning to secure the win. He also contributed two hits, two runs, and a pair of RBIs in a 7-1 victory over Norfolk State in the first game of a doubleheader on May 18. These wins propelled the Rams to the World Series.
Despite their efforts, losses to Jacksonville State (3-1 on May 26) and Central Missouri State (25-4 on May 28) ended Textile's season in the World Series.
Heineman, a sophomore shortstop from North Catholic and an All-Catholic honoree, hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against Norfolk State, sending the second game to extra innings. Heineman then secured the win with an RBI in the 13th inning, leading to an 8-7 victory. He was named Most Valuable Player of the North Atlantic Regional tournament.
During the season, Heineman recorded 11 doubles, two triples, and two home runs, striking out just eight times in 178 at-bats.
Pitcher Mike Kerrigan also earned second-team All-American honors after posting a 10-3 record with a 2.38 ERA over 91 innings of work. Reliever Jim Banmiller was 7-1 with a 3.84 ERA, and Mark Camut posted seven victories and led the team with 72 strikeouts.
Bob Bunnell, who spent three seasons managing at Textile, left following the 1990 season and currently serves as the athletic director at Salem Community College.
In recognition of their achievements, Jefferson inducted the entire 1990 roster into its athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.
