Zach Beggs Excels in College Baseball

Zach Beggs left a lasting impression on the Piedmont Academy baseball program.

He helped the Diamond Cougars to state titles in 2014 and 2015, setting a solid foundation for the program, which continued the season after he graduated.

Beggs recently completed his freshman season at Young Harris College and similar to how he did during his days competing for Piedmont, he is excelling on the collegiate level.

“It has been different from high school to college,” Beggs said recently. “In college it takes complete dedication. You practice all year and play a fall schedule. You have to stay focused competing and practicing that much.”

Beggs was named the Peach Belt Conference Baseball Freshman of Week during February. During that stretch, he batted .417 with two homers and seven RBI.

During a game against Brevard College, Beggs was 2-for-3 with a double, home run and three RBI. He was also 3-for-4 against King (Tenn.) University in his following game with another homer and four RBI.

In the span he earned Freshman of the Week honors, Beggs also scored five runs while striking out just once. His patient approach at at the plate helped lead to three walks and a .563 on-base percentage.

Defensively, Beggs was perfect at first base with no errors in 30 chances. He also had one assist and helped turn two double plays.

“In college, you find out just how much you love baseball,” Beggs said.

Despite his impressive stats, which includes setting a home run record for a a freshman at Young Harris since the school began competing in the NCAA in 2010-2011, Beggs said he believes he could perform even better at the plate.

“You are facing pitchers four or five times a week who throw 90-91 miles per hour,” he said. “Overall, I believe I adjusted well to playing in college. I do want to keep improving and have an even better sophomore season.”

Beggs was a multi-time All-State baseball player for Piedmont.

During the 2015 state championship series competing for Piedmont, Beggs helped the Cougars to a title by earning a win in the best-of-three series against Windsor. He allowed just one hit in that game and no runs while striking out four.

Beggs then pitched in relief in game two to close the door on the Knights and help earn Piedmont its second consecutive state baseball title.

While he was no longer competing for the Cougars this season, Beggs was in Milledgeville watching his alma mater claim a third state title recently.