Andrew Beckwith on the mound against CWS foe Arizona.
BLYTHEWOOD- One of Blythewood’s native sons has been drafted to the majors. Andrew Beckwith, a former Blythewood High School Bengal and College World Series Most Outstanding Player for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, was drafted in the 32 round of Major League Baseball’s June 14 draft, by the Kansas City Royals.
Beckwith had a season for the history books during the 2016 Coastal Carolina Championship run. In 2016, he finished the season 15-1, which set a single season Coastal Carolina wins record and tied the Big South record, to go along with a 1.85 ERA.
He made three starts in the College World Series as a junior, and he was one of only 12 players in CWS history to win three games in Omaha. Two of his three starts were complete games, including a 98-pitch complete game against top-seeded Florida. He also held opposing teams to an 0.76 ERA.
During his senior year, Beckwith finished up 8-2, with an 8-0 record in conference play, a 4.34 ERA and led the Chanticleers to a regular season conference title. Off the diamond, Beckwith made the Big South Presidential Honor Roll in 2014-15 and 2015-16, and was named to the Dean’s List in 2015.
Beckwith has won numerous awards over his Coastal Carolina career including the Gregg Olson Award, Big South’s Howard Bagwell Male Athlete of the Year, Big South Pitcher of the Year and was a HERO Sports All-American. He finished his college baseball career with the most ground outs in school history, fourth most appearances, fourth most wins, sixth most innings pitched and second fewest walks allowed per nine innings.
As a Bengal, Beckwith led the team to the 2013 4-A State Championship, but fell short to the Lexington Wildcats, and during his career he was named first-team All-State twice and set a school record with nine saves on his career. He also swam competitively and even won an Ultimate Frisbee State Championship.
