Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame
In 2003, Gardner-Webb embarked on its first season in one of the toughest conferences in Division I baseball. Freshman pitcher Zach Ward made his presence felt quickly, earning national accolades after posting a win and a save in a series win at Georgia in February. Those accolades would continue, as Ward went on to earn Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America honors after that season and helped anchor a dominant pitching staff over the next three years. As a sophomore, Ward earned All-Atlantic Sun Conference honors after ranking No. 8 nationally with 106 strikeouts in just 79.2 innings and going 5-1 in A-Sun games with a 1.95 ERA. Ward starred in the famed Cape Cod League that summer, averaging 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings to go with a 1.05 ERA. He started the 2005 season with an astonishing streak, hurling 16.0 consecutive innings without allowing a hit. He fired a complete-game no hitter vs. Akron on February 19, striking out 12 in that gem. He finished with seven wins in 2005, earned All-Atlantic Sun honors once again and fanned 127 batters. Ward was selected in the third round of the 2005 MLB Draft by Cincinnati and posted 22 wins and 341 strikeouts in four minor league seasons. He finished his Gardner-Webb career with 17 wins, a 3.58 ERA and 284 strikeouts in three seasons. Ward still ranks first in program history with 10.71 strikeouts per nine innings.
