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 Baseballs 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 Baseballs 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).