BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Members of the 1996 and 1997 Bridgewater State baseball teams were honored between games of the Bears' MASCAC doubleheader sweep of Worcester State University on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Park.

2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the Bears' third place finish at the 1996 NCAA Division III Championships in Salem, Virginia.

The 1996 squad posted an impressive overall record of 31-10 (school record for wins) and captured the New England Regional title with three straight wins over Brandeis, host Southern Maine and Eastern Connecticut State.

At the finals, following a first round setback to eventual national championion William Paterson, the Bears rallied for three straight wins over Marietta, Methodist and Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The season, however, would come to an end with a heart-breaking 3-1 loss to Cal Lutheran in the semifinals.

The Bears went back to the "World Series" in 1997 after capturing the Mid-Atlantic Regional in Sussex, New Jersey. At the regional, Bridgewater split the first two games with Rowan (win) and Montclair State (loss). Following a 9-5 win over Allentown, the Bears defeated Montclair State twice, 9-5 and 13-8, to secure their second straight trip to the finals in Salem, Virginia. Bridgewater placed seventh at the finals and finished the season with an overall record of 29-11-1.

Since 1986, Bridgewater State baseball teams have made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including ten trips under current head coach, Rick Smith. Smith has produced a record of 528-327-5 (.617) in 23 seasons since taking the reins in 1994.