CONWAY — When Coastal Carolina pitcher Andrew Beckwith stepped off the plane late Thursday night at the Myrtle Beach airport, he expected a few dozen people to welcome home the new NCAA national baseball champions.
Beckwith, who was voted the most outstanding player at this week’s College World Series, got a whole lot more.
The celebration lasted throughout the night and into Friday afternoon as more than 8,000 Coastal Carolina fans crowded into Springs Brooks Stadium to honor the team that brought the school it’s first national title in any team sport.
“There were thousands last night at the airport and even more people out here today,” said Beckwith, who won three games at the College World Series. “It’s amazing. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what we’ve done the last month.”
Mrytle Beach native Jordan Poole, 41, was out in Omaha, Neb., site of the College of World Series, all week. He made it home just in time for the parade that went through downtown Conway.
“I wasn’t going to miss this,” said Poole, who graduated from Coastal Carolina. “I had to change my flight and pay an extra fee to do it, but it was worth every penny. I don’t think many people across the country thought little ‘ol Coastal Carolina could win a national championship, but we did. We did it!”
Chanticleers baseball coach Gary Gilmore, who got emotional during several postgame interviews during at the team’s run to a national title, received a standing ovation when he was introduced to the overflow crowd.
Gilmore nearly broke down, again.
“I came here 21 years ago and spent the first six months in a trailer with no indoor plumbing,” said Gilmore, who was named the national coach of the year. “These players behind me made my dreams come true. This might be the first time I’ve ever been speechless.”
G.K. Young, who had the key home run in the Chanticleers’ 4-3 victory over Arizona in the decisive third game of the championship series, knows what this title means to the community.
Young was a star at Conway High School.
“This is my home and to see all these people here means everything to me,” Young said. “I’m in a dream right now. I couldn’t ask for anymore. If I was in a dream it couldn’t get any better. To share this with my teammates, my coaches, these fans and my family, I couldn’t be more blessed than I am right now.”
Former Hanahan High School star Seth Lancaster, who provided the game-winning hit in the Raleigh Regional, was forced to miss the College World Series after suffering a knee injury in the Baton Rogue Super Regional against LSU.
“Being the competitor that I am, it was tough not to be able to get out on the field in Omaha,” said Lancaster, who started 57 games for the Chanticleers. “I really wanted to play, but things didn’t work out for me. To be able to watch these guys do their thing was an unbelievable experience. I’m so proud of the way we fought and played in Omaha. No one gave us a chance and here we are, national champions.”
Despite having an injured knee, Lancaster threw caution and his health aside when the final out was recorded Thursday afternoon against Arizona.
Lancaster came out of the dugout with a bucket of water, tossed it on the human dog-pile that started to build on the infield and then jumped on top.
“I’m sure my doctors were not thrilled with me doing what I did,” Lancaster said. “But in that moment, I wasn’t going miss out on the celebration.”
