Senior outfielder displays stellar performances over weekend
The most lauded player in the Columbia Regional wasn’t the popular Scott Wingo or the streaking Christian Walker, but senior Robert Beary, who has been a quiet and consistent contributor for the Gamecocks all season.
While Beary doesn’t usually make a lot of noise on offense, he put on a show this weekend, having fans on the edges of their seats with every at-bat and earning the regional’s Most Valuable Player honor.
Against Georgia Southern in USC’s first regional game, Beary tallied one of the mere four hits allowed by the Eagles. In the second and third games for the Gamecocks, however, Beary found his stride.
Beary started Saturday night with a double before, with bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the third, Beary got just the second South Carolina grand slam of the season to pull away from the Stetson Hatters.
On Sunday, Beary had a lead-off triple in the third inning, eventually getting the second Gamecock run of the night. At his next at-bat, Beary had a base hit to bring Adrian Morales home. Against the Hatters, Beary totaled five RBI and two runs.
“Sometimes people get the luck of the draw, and I was lucky to have the opportunity to play and catch and hit,” Beary said. “I was locked in, and I got some good swings on some balls, and pitchers made some mistakes and left some balls up.”
Joining Beary on the All-Tournament Team from USC were first baseman Walker, second baseman Wingo, third baseman Morales, outfielder Evan Marzilli and pitcher Michael Roth.
From other teams in the regional, Stetson shortstop Mark Jones, N.C. State outfielder
Brett Williams, Stetson outfielder Mitchel Brennan, N.C. State utility Harold Riggins and N.C. State pitcher Cory Mazzoni also made the team.
Though Beary’s at-bats may have earned him the regional’s top honor and had fans anticipating his next trip to the plate, for South Carolina coach Ray Tanner, it’s Beary’s versatility on defense that has made him an asset all season.
“I’m not sure where we would be right now without Robert Beary,” Tanner said. “With the things that we’ve been going through on the field and having to move guys in and out and all around, Robert Beary’s been the constant for us.”
Marzilli shining in postseason once again: With last postseason marking the coming out for outfielder Evan Marzilli, it’s not surprising that he’s reclaiming his title as Mr. June once again.
Moved into the leadoff role by Tanner, Marzilli had three hits with two RBI and two runs in two games against Stetson after going 0-for-4 against Georgia Southern on Friday night. On the second pitch of Sunday’s game six against Stetson, Marzilli homered for just the third time this season.
“Going to the plate leading off the inning, your main goal, obviously, is to get on base,” Marzilli said. “I was lucky enough to work the count a little bit and get a good pitch to hit.”
Gamecocks taken early in the MLB Draft: Amid the regional victory for South Carolina, the first two days of the MLB draft saw several Gamecocks taken.
Off the board first was outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who’s been sidelined since injuring his wrist against Mississippi State earlier this season. Despite the injury, Bradley was taken No. 40 overall by the Boston Red Sox.
“We’re going to have a number of guys drafted, and certainly some signees as well,” Tanner said. “We have a very talented recruiting class, and we’re probably going to take a few hits in there.”
Closer Matt Price was drafted in the sixth round with the No. 184 pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Wingo followed, being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the No. 344 pick in the 11th round.