Jim Schult, Class of 1981, came from a baseball family. His father Art Schult played many years in the major leagues for the Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and Washington Senators, and his brother Ray went on to play for Pace.
With that pedigree, Schult first made a name for himself at Westlake High School in Thornwood. He helped the Wildcats to a 14-2 record in 1976, and a Central Western Baseball League title as they advanced to the state sectionals. Schult was honored that year by earning All-CWL, All-County, and All-American accolades.
Prior to Mercy, Schult attended Westchester Community College, where he was an All-Conference selection and helped his squad to a Mid-Hudson Conference crown.
Schult, a power-hitting outfielder who hit legendary home runs, joined the Flyers for the 1980 season. Along with his power, he had great speed and a career batting average over .400, playing an integral role on two of the strongest baseball teams under head coach Rick Wolff.
Schult batted .406 in 1980, scoring 33 times, driving in 11 runs on 39 hits, including six doubles, three triples and two home runs. He had a .594 slugging percentage, a .486 on base percentage, stole 20 bases in 24 attempts, and struck out only nine times all season. Later that summer, Schult batted .454 with 12 home runs, 67 runs batted in, and 84 runs in 64 games for the New Rochelle Robins, one of the most successful amateur organizations in the New York Metropolitan area.
He followed up by putting together arguably the best offensive season in Mercy College baseball history in 1981, leading the nation with a .541 batting average. In 98 at bats, Schult collected 102 total bases for a remarkable slugging percentage of 1.041, and struck out only 10 times. That year he had 53 hits, including eight doubles, four triples and a team record 11 home runs. He also walked 27 times to post a .640 on base percentage, was a perfect 21-for-21 in stolen base attempts and scored 55 runs, as he was named to the New York State All-Star Team.
Schult was then selected by the Texas Rangers in the 33rd round of the 1981 Major League draft. He is currently employed as a sales representative for R.E. Michel Company. He and his wife, Jean, a teacher in Somers, currently reside in East Fishkill, New York. Jean and Jim have two sons, Jimmy and Jeffrey.
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