In 2001 , Sheppard served as interim head coach while his father missed the season due to heart surgery . The Pirates went 14 – 11 – 1 to tie for third in the Big East , then went 4 – 0 at the Big East Tournament , defeating Virginia Tech in the championship game to earn the program 's second straight NCAA Tournament berth . At the Clemson Regional , the Pirates went 2 – 2 , beating top-seeded South Alabama twice and losing to Clemson in the regional final . Future Manhattan and Fordham head coach Kevin Leighton played for Sheppard on the 2001 team
Big East Tournament
2001 Big East Conference Baseball Tournament
Rob Sheppard