University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Baseball Mourns the Loss of Former Player Philip Mullinax
06.30.2026 | Baseball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville Baseball Program was saddened recently by the death of one of its alums in former pitcher Philip Mullinax last week after a long battle with cancer.
The Flat Rock native pitched for the Bulldogs for two years in 1989 and 1990 after transferring from Montreat-Anderson. He was Asheville's closer those two years and helped a young Bulldog team achieve some crucial success in the early days of the program. Â
He finished his career at Asheville with eight saves which was a school record for many years. Mullinax posted a 6-5 overall record with a 3.88 ERA, striking out 62 hitters in 72 innings of work. He had four saves in each of his season as a Bulldogs.
In the 1989 season, Asheville finished the season with an eight-game winning streak with Phillip saving three of those victories. During the 1990 campaign, the Bulldogs put together a school-record 10-game winning streak with Mullinax gaining two saves and two wins during the streak.
He is fondly remembered by his teammates starting with Hall of Fame pitcher Marc Rosenbalm.
"As a fellow sidewinder, Mully and I immediately bonded during our playing days. He was instrumental in helping me develop a changeup which gave me a weapon against my Achilles heel, left-handed hitters," stated Rosenbalm. "In addition to being a great friend and teammate, Mully was a wonderful person and devoted family man. He will be dearly missed by all his Bulldog brothers."
Derek Helton played with Mullinax at both Montreat-Anderson and UNC Asheville. The duo transferred to Asheville at the same time.
"Philip was an awesome teammate and friend. We played together at Montreat-Anderson before coming to UNC Asheville. He was the same person and off the field. Philip was highly competitive, yet highly supportive of everyone," said Helton. "He was one who worked hard to be the best he could be on the mound and pushed others to be better through his commitment and competitiveness. Philip was crafty and calculating on the mound. He studied the opposing pitchers to help us as hitters. He is going to be missed."
Mike Shildt, a member of the UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame and two-time major league manager, also played with Mullinax.
"Mully was a terrific teammate and fierce competitor with a heart of gold," stated Shildt. "It was a privilege to know him. He lived a life of high value and integrity. We lost a Bulldog brother but heaven gained an angel."
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The Flat Rock native pitched for the Bulldogs for two years in 1989 and 1990 after transferring from Montreat-Anderson. He was Asheville's closer those two years and helped a young Bulldog team achieve some crucial success in the early days of the program. Â
He finished his career at Asheville with eight saves which was a school record for many years. Mullinax posted a 6-5 overall record with a 3.88 ERA, striking out 62 hitters in 72 innings of work. He had four saves in each of his season as a Bulldogs.
In the 1989 season, Asheville finished the season with an eight-game winning streak with Phillip saving three of those victories. During the 1990 campaign, the Bulldogs put together a school-record 10-game winning streak with Mullinax gaining two saves and two wins during the streak.
He is fondly remembered by his teammates starting with Hall of Fame pitcher Marc Rosenbalm.
"As a fellow sidewinder, Mully and I immediately bonded during our playing days. He was instrumental in helping me develop a changeup which gave me a weapon against my Achilles heel, left-handed hitters," stated Rosenbalm. "In addition to being a great friend and teammate, Mully was a wonderful person and devoted family man. He will be dearly missed by all his Bulldog brothers."
Derek Helton played with Mullinax at both Montreat-Anderson and UNC Asheville. The duo transferred to Asheville at the same time.
"Philip was an awesome teammate and friend. We played together at Montreat-Anderson before coming to UNC Asheville. He was the same person and off the field. Philip was highly competitive, yet highly supportive of everyone," said Helton. "He was one who worked hard to be the best he could be on the mound and pushed others to be better through his commitment and competitiveness. Philip was crafty and calculating on the mound. He studied the opposing pitchers to help us as hitters. He is going to be missed."
Mike Shildt, a member of the UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame and two-time major league manager, also played with Mullinax.
"Mully was a terrific teammate and fierce competitor with a heart of gold," stated Shildt. "It was a privilege to know him. He lived a life of high value and integrity. We lost a Bulldog brother but heaven gained an angel."
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