Nate Manning’s 1996 offensive season literally has become the standard for all future Governors. Without question, it was the greatest individual season any Bat Gov has enjoyed in school history.
But it was more than the numbers for which Manning and his fellow Governors were known. It was how those Govs went about their business to become APSU’s greatest baseball team in history. The relentless offseason work and conditioning led to a school-record 44 wins.
However, it was Manning who literally became the fulcrum of that outstanding team. But it didn’t come easily for the Iowa native. In fact, after being recruited by fellow Keosaqua native Gary McClure, Manning played sparingly as a freshman.
His perseverance paid off. As a sophomore in 1994, his career began to take off both offensively and defensively. He batted .288 with 15 doubles, three triples and four home runs while driving home 43 runs as the Govs captured the OVC regular-season title. His defensive work in an extra-inning marathon Ohio Valley Conference tourney game against Murray State was memorable. He earned second-team All-OVC honors that season for his all-round efforts.
As a junior, Manning again batted .288 with eight home runs and 11 doubles while driving in 39 runs. The 6-2, 205 pounder also showed superb speed for a big man, with 12 stolen bases in 16 attempts.
But it was that senior season that became so memorable. He helped lead the dominating Govs to a school-best 44-22 record, a regular-season OVC co-championship, an OVC tourney title, an NCAA Play-In berth and the program’s only NCAA tourney appearance.
That season, Manning set APSU records for home runs (19), RBIs (81), hits (100), runs scored (70), total bases (191, also current OVC record) and extra base hits (49). He batted .394 with 26 doubles and four triples.
As a result, he was named OVC "Player of the Year," leading the conference in home runs (19), runs scored (70) and total RBIs (81). He also was named to the 1996 All-OVC tournament team and, fittingly, tourney most valuable player. He also was selected second-team All-Region.
But it was more than just the numbers for Manning as a senior. When the Governors needed a big hit, he always seemed to answer. His late-game double in the OVC tourney title game–that loud pop resonating throughout Hand Park from the ball hitting the Wendy’s sign–helped spur the Govs to a 5-3, come-from-behind victory against stubborn Morehead State.
Then he helped punish Southern in the NCAA Play-In series in Clarksville with one of the longest home runs in recent memory as the Govs advanced to NCAA tourney play for the first time in Baton Rouge, La.
Following his senior season, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs. He played professionally for five seasons (four with the Cubs organization, one with the Minnesota Twins) before retiring after the 2000 season.
Since his retirement, Nate has worked in the construction business back in Keosagua.
