By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn senior-to-be right-handed pitcher Casey Steward was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday in the 19th round with the 583rd overall pick in the Major League Draft.
Washburn star pitcher Casey Steward was drafted Tuesday by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 19th round. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Steward was the first MIAA player to be picked in the draft this year.
"Casey Steward has been an impact player for Washburn baseball since the first day he stepped on campus," Ichabod head baseball coach Harley Douglas said in a Washburn Athletics release. "I am so happy for him and his family today!
"His commitment and dedication to his craft and being an Ichabod will be hard to replace. He was determined to make his mark in Washburn baseball history and it is safe to say he did it in a big way. What a tremendous day for Casey Steward, his family and all of Ichabod nation!"
This past spring Steward was named to the All-MIAA second team, making 15 appearances and starting 14 games while finishing with a record of 5-4.
Steward led the MIAA and finished ranked 12th in NCAA Division II ranks with 110 strikeouts, which also tied Washburn's single-season strikeout record.
He recorded a 4.25 earned run average (fifth in MIAA) while holding opponents to a .216 batting average (fourth in MIAA) after pitching a team-high 82.2 innings (third in MIAA).
Steward recorded 10 or more strikeouts in four games and limited opponents to three or fewer hits in five starts after going at least 5.2 innings. He carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning against Northeastern State (May 5) in the MIAA Tournament before leaving the game after allowing a leadoff walk.
Steward pitched six no-hit innings against Rogers State (April 22) and struck out 10 and struck out a career-high 12 in 5.2 innings at Barry (Feb. 9).
The Wichita East product was named the MIAA Pitcher of the Week twice and was the NCBWA Central Region Pitcher of the Week once.
In the classroom Steward was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll and earned MIAA Scholar Athlete honors and was also named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team.
Steward becomes the second Ichabod to have his name called in the Major League draft under Douglas and the first since Shawnee Heights product David Gauntt was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 18th round in the 2016 MLB Draft.
