COLLEGE BASEBALL: Heel's McGee selected ACC freshman-of-the-year

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 23, 2017 10:20 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Just as the airplane began its descent toward Louisville International Airport on Monday afternoon, a notification popped up on Ashton McGee's cell phone.

He sat astonished by the message.

The University of North Carolina rookie had been named the 2017 Atlantic Coast Conference freshman-of-the-year in baseball.

"It really caught me off guard," McGee said. "I was just sitting there thinking to myself how my hard work has paid off, and how my parents and coaches have gotten me to this point in my career because without them none of this possible."

Just four-plus months ago, McGee opted to graduate early from Charles B. Aycock and forego his senior baseball season in high school. He entered UNC in January and began workouts with the baseball team.

The decision turned quite a few heads, raised some eyebrows and drew some criticism. CBA head coach Charles Davis gave McGee his blessing. Teammates, while they hated to see him go, offered their congratulations and wished him luck.

Of course, his parents undoubtedly supported his choice.

At the time, McGee admitted it was the most difficult decision he had made in a career that still hasn't completely blossomed.

"That is awesome," Davis said. "I'm so glad he's gone there and been able to have the year he's had. Maybe that will put to rest some of the comments that people made about his decision. The kid can play and is humble in everything.

"I'm just proud of him."

McGee is the sixth Tar Heel to earn freshman-of-the-year accolades along with Colin Moran (2011), Dustin Ackley (2007), Daniel Bard (2004), Adam Greenberg (2000) and Brian Roberts (1997).

Teammate J.B. Bukauskas earned the league's pitcher-of-the-year award and first-team honors along with shortstop Logan Warmoth, outfielder Brian Miller and right-handed hurler Josh Hiatt. Pitcher Gianluca Dilatri was a third-team pick and made the all-freshman team along with McGee.

McGee fashioned a team-best .339 batting average, drove in 39 RBI and swatted six home runs in 50 games. UNC head coach Mike Fox penciled him into the starting lineup on 49 occasions, including all 30 ACC affairs.

"Honestly, I didn't know what to think coming into the season when considering playing time, but I knew if I got a shot I would give everything I had," McGee said. "As the season started, I didn't play in the first four games and I thought that's how it might be all year because everyone on our team is so good. (It) is hard to break the lineup, but knew once I got an opportunity I would be ready and not look back."

North Carolina (44-11 overall) compiled a 23-7 worksheet against ACC opposition and won the Coastal Division in runaway fashion by five games over Virginia.

The No. 5-ranked Heels are the No. 2 overall seed for the ACC Tournament, which begins today at Louisville Slugger Field. They'll face Boston College on Wednesday at 3 p.m. and tangle with rival N.C. State at 7 p.m. on Friday. The 12-team field is broken up into four pools of three teams.

UNC is projected as a top-8 seed for the NCAA Tournament.

"I think our team is so good and has done what it has done this year because of our veterans leading with (senior) Adam Pate and then all our juniors," McGee said. "Considering what has happened the past two years with the NCAA Tournament and not making it, they have made sure that we as a whole would be ready to get the program back on track like it was three to four years ago.

"Everybody is a team player and wants the best for each other, and nobody cares about their individual stats."

That includes McGee.