LYNCHBURG, VA. (NCBWA) – Clemson University
outfielder Seth Beer and University of South Carolina
right-hander Braden Webb have been named the
2016 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association National
Freshman Hitter and Pitcher of the Year recipients, as
announced by the organization today.
Beer, one of five finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy, batted
.369 with 70 RBI and 57 runs scored for the ACC Champion Clemson
Tigers. In 62 games, the ACC Player and Freshman of the Year collected
13 doubles, 18 homers and 62 walks, while posting a .700 slugging
percentage and a .535 on-base percentage. The outfielder ended the
2016 season with a 60-game on-base streak, and had a 26-game hitting
streak earlier in the year.
The Suwannee, Ga., native has also been selected as a finalist
for the 2016 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award. In addition, the
All-ACC first team outfielder has been named a Baseball America
first-team All-American, Collegiate Baseball’s co-Freshman of the
Year and a Louisville Slugger second team All-American.
Currently, Beer is fourth in on base percentage and ninth in
RBI and slugging percentage nationally. He also is third in bases
on balls. In addition, the outfielder led the ACC in home runs,
while finishing second in the conference in RBI, on base percentage
and slugging percentage.
Beer, who will play for the USA Collegiate National Team this
summer, helped lead the Tigers to their 15th ACC title and a 44-20
record. Clemson completed the year ranked No. 15 in the latest NCBWA
Weekly Poll.
Webb posted a 10-6 record with 3.09 ERA in 18 appearances, 17
which were starts, for the South Carolina Gamecocks. The right-hander
struck out 128 and walked 48, while holding opponents to a .216
batting average over 102 innings pitched.
The Owasso, Okla., native was named to the 2016 SEC All-Freshman
team and earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors
from the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. A three-time SEC Freshman
of the Week, the right-hander was also included on USA Baseball’s
Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List and College Baseball Hall of
Fame National Pitcher of the Year Award Watch List.
Currently, Webb ranks fifth nationally in strikeouts. He finished
the year second in strikeouts, fourth in wins and fifth in innings
pitch in the SEC.
Webb helped the Gamecocks post a 46-18 overall mark and win the
2016 NCAA Columbia, S.C. Regional. In addition, South Carolina claimed
the SEC Eastern Division title with a 20-9 record. The Gamecocks
finished their season ranked No. 8 in the latest NCBWA Weekly Poll.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of
college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and
publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit
the association's official Web site, www.ncbwa.com. For more information,
contact Ryan Bomberger (rbomberger@liberty.edu).
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