Baseball Postseason Awards
Another South Carolina baseball season is in the books. The team that didn’t make the playoffs last season responded by winning 46 total games and 20 SEC games, the most under head coach Chad Holbrook.
While the Gamecocks weren't awarded a College World Series berth, GamecockCentral.com decided to gift a few players with some awards of their own.
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Most improved pitcher: Josh Reagan
Last season Josh Reagan struggled out of the bullpen in his sophomore season with a 4.72 ERA in 15 appearances. He gave up 20 more hits (54) than he had strikeouts (34). He only pitched longer than five innings three times. It was hard to expect Reagan to perform better with more talented guys in the bullpen, but that’s exactly what he did. The lefty was the Gamecock closer through the first half of the season with 11 saves. Coming from a plus-4 ERA, he had a team-low 2.08 ERA this year. He was almost unhittable in 29 appearances, only giving up 34 hits and striking out 50.
Honorable Mention: Taylor Widener, Reed Scott, Clarke Schmidt
Most outstanding pitcher: Braden Webb
Clarke Schmidt was always the presumptive Friday-night starter but Webb slowly became a force to be reckoned with on Saturday’s. The freshman had command of all three of his pitches for the most part all season and pitched his way to a 3.09 ERA. He led the team with 10 wins had was second on the team with 128 strikeouts, one behind Schmidt.
Honorable Mention: Clarke Schmidt, Josh Reagan, Tyler Johnson
Best newcomer: Dom Thompson-Williams
The Iowan burst onto the scene this season and played every game for the Gamecocks in 2016. Hitting near the top of the order, the junior JUCO transfer was second on the team with a .321 batting average and led the team in doubles, triples and runs scored. He was a mix of power, contact and speed on the diamond and anchored the outfield, starting primarily in centerfield.
Honorable Mention: Jonah Bride, LT Tolbert, TJ Hopkins
Most improved position player: Marcus Mooney
The senior shortstop wasn’t recruited to be an offensive power, and in his junior season it somewhat showed. He only hit .213 last season; the third-lowest average on the team. This season, he was one of the biggest offensive weapons on the team with a .314 batting average and rotating primarily between the No. 2 and 9 spots in the order. He had the fourth-highest average among everyday players. The senior was also one of the best run scorers on the team with 38 runs scored this season.
Honorable Mention: Gene Cone, Alex Destino, Madison Stokes
Most outstanding position player: Gene Cone
What can you say about Gene Cone that hasn’t already been said? He led the team in batting average and hits. The leadoff hitter had a .363 average, .498 slugging percentage and .474 on base percentage. Long story short, he was the best hitter on the team. If it weren’t for Gene Cone, then the Gamecocks wouldn’t click offensively. He was the compass that kept the offense moving toward its ultimate goals.
Honorable Mention: Alex Destino, Dom Thompson-Williams, Jonah Bride
