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Micah Mcdowell’s season has extended into the NCAA Division 1 tournament

Reworked swing helps Kentville native become a star at Oregon State

GEORGE MYRER THE CHRONICLE HERALD gmyrer@herald.ca @Gmyrer

Micah Mcdowell’s dream season has extended into the NCAA Division 1 baseball tournament. After three seasons of battling injury and self-doubt, the Oregon State centre fielder has turned into a bonafide hitting threat in the middle of the Beavers’ batting order.

“Coming into this season I never would have thought that was a possibility,” he said of his breakout season at the plate. “I was just trying to have a good year for myself, but I think I have exceeded my own expectations and probably a lot of people on the outside looking in.”

The 22-year-old, who was born in Kentville, finished the regular season with a .343 batting average, second on the team to Allamerican Travis Bazzana, 70 hits, six home runs and 15 stolen bases. When the PAC-12 conference awards were handed out, Mcdowell received an honourable mention.

“For some reason, I couldn’t believe in myself because of (hamstring) injuries and inexperience,” said Mcdowell. “The thing about baseball is that it’s such a mental game and as soon as you get that little streak of confidence, it takes off. If you are a confident guy on the field, you give yourself a way better chance.”

There’s no need for Mcdowell to pinch himself because his dream season was forged through a rebuilt swing at Driveline Baseball performance centre in Kent, Washington.

“Over the off-season, I went to Driveline with Travis Bazzana,” said Mcdowell. “I learned a lot of things about my swing and bat speed stuff and it started to click. Just working on the plane of my swing and getting in the zone early and staying in the zone longer.

“I’ve always had really good bat-to-ball skills, but just not a good swing. Being able to find a swing that works for me and letting my bat-to-ball skills take over really allowed me to take off this year.”

He was able to test his revamped swing under the watchful eye of Tyler Hollick and the Okotoks Dawgs of the Western Canadian Baseball League.

“It’s been awesome, going back to the summer in Okotoks was the deal maker,” said Mcdowell. “I was having a lot of doubt about my ability on the field and a loss of confidence. Last season, winning the championship with Okotoks really gave me confidence coming into the season at Oregon State.”

His NCAA season started on the bench, but a pinch-hit double late in the opening game led to a start in Game 2 and Mcdowell hasn’t looked back. With the help of Beavers’ batting coaches Ryan Gipson and former major leaguer Darwin Barney, he became a threat at the plate.

“I was definitely the next man up going into the season, but I solidified my spot in the first couple of weeks.”

Mcdowell had nine games with three or more hits this season, including a five-hit game against Coppin State. He helped Oregon State to a 39-18 regular season record.

NOVA SCOTIA CONNECTION

The self-proclaimed Valley boy doesn’t have to look too far to find a fellow Nova Scotian. Dartmouth’s Matt Grabmann is one of the top pitchers for state-rival Oregon Ducks.

It’s unbelievably rare for a Nova Scotia head-to-head matchup to play out in NCAA baseball, but on April 8, Mcdowell belted a three-run homer off Grabmann in an Oregon State win.

“We worked out over the winter this past year at One Last Rep Sports in Dartmouth,” said Mcdowell. “I’ve had a lot of good conversations with Matt and a couple of other guys who are playing college ball in the States.

“We haven’t talked about it (the homer), but I’m sure when the summer comes up we will have a good laugh over it. He’s having a great season too.”

NCAA BRACKET

Now it’s playoff time for Mcdowell and the Beavers, who are in Baton Rouge, La., in a bracket with NCAA No. 5 Louisiana State, Sam Houston State and Tulane.

On Friday, the Beavers played Sam Houston in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional in a must-win game. Only one team advances from each four-team bracket.

Three other Nova Scotians are in the tournament. On Friday night, Grabmann and Oregon played Xavier, Cam Rendell (Hammonds Plains) and Maine took on Miami, and Evan O’toole (Bridgewater) with Oklahoma State met Oral Roberts.

BASEBALL FUTURE

Mcdowell has played four seasons with the Beavers but has the option to return for a fifth due to his freshman season of 2020 being interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Later this month, Mcdowell will graduate with a degree in business administration.

However, he is unsure of his future. He has a dream of playing professional baseball.

“I’m not sure what the deal is for next year. Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to play pro ball somewhere and go from there."

Mcdowell is eligible for the Major League Baseball draft July 9-11. But thoughts of professional baseball are on the back burner as he hopes to continue his dream NCAA season.

“I haven’t heard a whole lot, but I know my name is out there a little bit,” said Mcdowell. “I have a good feeling I might get an opportunity somewhere, but for now the focus is on the tournament. I will look at those things when the season is over.”

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2023-06-03T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-03T07:00:00.0000000Z

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