-- Story provided by Adrian College Athletics --
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) released its 2021 Regional Coaches of the Year for all collegiate divisions. In the Mideast Region of NCAA Division III, head coach Craig Rainey of the Adrian College baseball team earned Regional Coach of the Year.
Rainey led the Bulldogs to another MIAA regular season and tournament championship in 2021. With an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, Rainey led Adrian in three come from behind wins to win the UW-Whitewater Regional. With the regional championship, the Bulldogs made their second trip to the DIII College World Series in program history. The Bulldogs recorded a win in the World Series before being eliminated and finishing in the final six teams.
During the season, Coach Rainey recorded his 700th career win in a 4-1 win over No. 3 North Central College. He led the Bulldogs to a 37-10 record on the year and was 21-2 in conference. The 21 conference wins in the most in program history while 37 wins ties the program record for wins in a single season.
Coach Rainey coached eight All-MIAA players this season along with four All-Region, two All-Americans, the MIAA Pitcher of the Year, the MIAA Position Player of the Year, and a member of the All-Tournament Team for the DIII College World Series.
On the year, the Bulldogs ranked in the top-25 by D3baseball.com under the direction of Coach Rainey. The Bulldogs were ranked in the top-25 every week of the season except one and finished the year as No. 5 in the country.
The 2021 ABCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year award is his second career honor with the other ABCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year award coming in 2008.
ABCA Regional Coach of the Year Release
