Eastern Connecticut State University

Scott D. Budner utilized an unhittable breaking pitch and a devastating pickoff move in a three-year career that culminated in 1977 with a multitude of accomplishments and honors.  In a three-year career between 1975 and 1977, the East Lyme native won 15 of 18 pitching decisions with four saves, 191 strikeouts in 152 1/3 innings, and a 1.83 ERA. As a junior in 1977, he posted a perfect 9-0 record, two saves and a 1.86 ERA, led Division III in strikeouts and strikeouts per game, gained second-team All-America honors and was selected in the sixth round of the First-Year Player Draft by the San Francisco Giants. Possessing one of the most deceiving and effective pickoff moves in both the collegiate and professional ranks, Budner was credited with picking off 19 baserunners in his career. With Budner, Eastern won 101 of 140 games (.721), averaged 33.7 wins per year and qualified for post-season tournament play each season. As the starting rightfielder as a freshman in 1975, Budner batted .269 and helped the Warriors win the District 32 and Area 8 championships to qualify for the NAIA national tournament appearance in three years. In the northern and home opener April 2, 1977 against the University of Lowell, he threw a seven-inning no-hitter – the first under head coach Bill Holowaty -- in a snowstorm (the second game was cancelled due to unplayable conditions). Budner fanned 16 in that game – equaling the program record for a seven-inning game. In 1977, Budner led the nation in total strikeouts (121) and strikeout average (13.2), was third in ERA (1.86) and recorded the most wins without a loss. He allowed an average of only 3.3 hits per nine innings that year, a mark which remains an Eastern season record, and his strikeout average that year still ranks him third all-time at Eastern. Through 2008, Budner ranks second all-time in NCAA Division III history by giving up an average of only 4.79 hits per nine innings. He is also tied for 14^th all-time in career ERA. Through 2008, he is the second-highest draft pick in the regular phase of the draft in program history.

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