ROCKINGHAM — Thanks to Drew Butler, a former Richmond Senior baseball standout, Campbell University’s athletic department will be receiving some new hardware soon.

According to a tweet posted by Campbell’s head baseball coach Justin Haire on Sunday, and confirmed on the NCAA’s official website, Butler ended the 2016-17 season as the statistical champion in NCAA Division I for stolen bases per game.

Butler stole 39 bases in 56 games played as a senior, giving him a .70 average per contest. Robbie Podorsky of McNeese State University also finished with 39 stoles bases on the year, but came in second place due to him appearing in 57 games — which put Podorsky at an average of .68 stolen bases per game.

“It feels awesome. I had a lot of fun with it throughout the year and I think it means a lot not only for myself but for my school,” Butler wrote in a message. “It’s something that I’ve constantly worked at over the years and had a lot of help and guidance with along the way.”

This is the second time in the last five years that a player from Buies Creek has led the nation in this particular category, as Ben McQuown (Campbell ‘13) averaged .92 stolen bases per game throughout the 2012-13 season.

Although the award is for his ability to steal bases, one of Butler’s biggest moments from this past year came in April when he hit a walk-off grand slam at home against UNC-Asheville. The Richmond County native was also named “Mr. Campbell” at the school’s annual sports banquet — nicknamed “The Cammys” — that same month.

“I would rather have that award than any award that’s based solely on athletic abilities or statistics,” Butler said after receiving the honor. “My parents were really proud of me and it was a great moment for me, my team and our school. That’s what I wanted to go home with and I was lucky enough that they picked me to do that.”

Butler recorded 70 hits, 34 RBI, two home runs and helped Campbell to 25 wins in his final season. He also had a .317 batting average, which was second-best on the team, and a third-best .426 on-base percentage.

Reach sports editor Leon Hargrove Jr. at 910-817-2673 and follow the sports section on Twitter @RCDailySports.

Daily Journal file photo
Former Richmond Senior baseball standout Drew Butler finished the 2016-17 season with an average of .70 stolen bases per game, making him the statistical champion in all of NCAA Division I baseball. Butler, who spent his four years at Campbell, stole 39 bases in 56 games played.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_butler2web-4.jpgDaily Journal file photo
Former Richmond Senior baseball standout Drew Butler finished the 2016-17 season with an average of .70 stolen bases per game, making him the statistical champion in all of NCAA Division I baseball. Butler, who spent his four years at Campbell, stole 39 bases in 56 games played.

By Leon Hargrove Jr.

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