Garrett Beaver, a former standout pitcher for the Waynesboro Indians, knew what he was getting into when he signed the dotted line to play for college baseball powerhouse Salisbury.
Playing time is never a guarantee at the collegiate level, doubly so for a program like the Seagulls, which going into the season had won two straight conference championships and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships in two consecutive years.
But Beaver put in the work, earned a role on the team as a relief pitcher, and took care of business. And thanks in part to the success of the former Waynesboro ace, Salisbury continued its dominant tradition, going 36-8 to win a conference championship and qualify for the NCAAs yet again.
In College Corner this week, we’ll take a closer look at Beaver and Salisbury, whose season finally came to an end last weekend, while also examining how other former Waynesboro athletes performed at the college ranks this spring.
In the months to come, College Corner will rotate to Greencastle and Chambersburg to wrap up the spring sports season, before shifting our focus back to Waynesboro to preview the start of fall sports.
Additions for College Corner can be submitted to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
BASEBALL
Garrett Beaver, Freshman, Salisbury
Beaver, a right-handed relief pitcher in his first year of college ball, proved to be quite an effective weapon for the Seagulls, who advanced all the way to the NCAA Division III Championships for the third straight year.
Checking in at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Beaver appeared in 10 games this spring and worked 10 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.53 ERA. He allowed five runs, three earned, on nine hits and four walks while striking out 12.
Beaver got stronger as the season progressed. After giving up two earned runs in his first outing of the season on Feb. 19, he allowed just one earned run for the remainder of the spring.
Thanks in part to Beaver’s contributions, Salisbury conquered the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference for the third straight year, before the Seagulls marched their way through the competition at the NCAA tourney.
Salisbury went 6-3 at the NCAAs, with the season finally coming to an end last weekend with a 21-7 loss to East Texas Baptist on Sunday.
The Seagulls conclude their season with a 36-8 record, which includes a 3-1 mark in the C2C.
Kurt Biesecker, Junior, Mansfield
Biesecker, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound first baseman, was an active and efficient player for the Mounties.
He played in 24 games, including 14 starts, and batted .273 (15 for 55) with 10 runs, seven RBI, two doubles, and one home run. Defensively, Biesecker sported a perfect fielding percentage and turned eight double plays.
Biesecker ended his season on a strong note, with hits in four of his last six games. Over that span he batted .312 (5 for 16) with two runs and an RBI.
Mansfield played to a 13-32 record this spring, including a 4-20 mark in the PSAC.
Maddox Brooks, Freshman, James Madison
Brooks’ first year in the college ranks saw him appear in two games as a defensive replacement.
A 6-foot-4, 180-pound catcher, Brooks recorded three putouts and had a perfect fielding percentage.
James Madison was 31-25 this season, and posted a 15-13 mark in the SBC.
GOLF
Dylan Byers, Freshman, Alvernia
Byers cracked his way into Alvernia’s lineup and the first-year collegiate golfer has been involved in his team’s scoring in every meet over the spring.
Byers, a Business Management Major, kicked off his season on April 2-3 at the MAC Preview, hosted by PB Dye Golf Club in Ijamsville, Md. At that tournament, Alvernia finished in third with 669 strokes, and Byers finished as the Wolves’ No. 2 golfer, carding an 80-89-169 to finish in a tie for 10th place.
On April 6, Byers and the Wolves competed at Hershey Country Club’s East Course for the Elizabethtown Invitational. Byers was Alvernia’s fifth golfer, shooting an 87 for 38th place, as the Wolves finished as the fourth-place team with 330 strokes.
Byers moved back up to the fourth golfer on his team when he posted an 80-82-162 at the Alvernia Invitational, held on April 10-11 at Stonewall Golf Club and LedgeRock Golf Club. Alvernia recorded a 613 to finish fifth in the team standings.
Finally, Byers and Co. returned to PB Dye Golf Club on April 22-23 for the MAC Championships. Alvernia finished in fifth (640 strokes), while Byers was the fifth-ranking Alvernia golfer after shooting an 89-86-175.
OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Joel Weber, Freshman, Pitt-Johnstown
Weber’s first outdoor season in the college ranks was all about honing his skills in the 800 and 1,500.
He kicked off his season on March 17-18 at the Webb Davidson Meet, running the 800 in 2:15.73, before shifting his sights to the 1,500, where he ran a 4:47.47 at the Dave Labor Invitational.
Weber took on both events on the same day at the Ed Fry Invitational on April 8, taking 11th in the 1,500 (4:45.52) and 18th in the 800 (2:25.69).
By mid-April, Weber was beginning to really show progress in the 1,500. He ran a 4:37.22 at the Messiah Invitational on April 13-15, before dropping even more time at the Mountaineer Showcase on April 21-22 with a PR of 4:34.38. He wrapped up April competition by posting a 4:49.31 at the Red Flash Open.
Finally, Weber’s last race of the season was a chance to run the 5,000 at the LHU Qualifier on May 5-6. He understood the assignment, exploding for a PR time of 18:38.64 to take third place.
It’s been a year-long effort for Weber, who has participated in cross country, as well as both indoor and outdoor track. Going into his sophomore season, he will work to boost his PRs in the cross country 8K (31:19), 800 (2:14.64), 1,500 (4:34.38), mile (5:03.34), 3,000 (10:47.95), and the 5,000 (18:38.64).
Dillon Turner, Freshman, Wingate
Turner took on two meets this season: An invitational and the conference championships.
The hurdles ace tested his prowess at the Electric City Invitational on April 14-15 and was rewarded for his efforts with PR times in the 110 hurdles (16.66) and 400 hurdles (59.58).
Turner then shifted his focus to the South Atlantic Championships on May 3-4. He took 12th in 110 hurdles (16.72) and 15th in 400 hurdles (1:03.20).
Cora Helman, Freshman, Shenandoah
After competing in one indoor invitational over the winter, Helman was inactive for the Hornets this spring.
