A Healthy Ward Prepares for His Final Year

When his teammates on the Columbia baseball team elected senior outfielder Andrew Ward captain at the start of 2007, it was certainly a well-deserved recognition for a player who has been through his fair share of ups and downs at Columbia. "It speaks volumes to have him elected captain by his peers," head coach Brett Boretti said. "He is a hard worker who has his best baseball ahead of him."

That's quite a compliment, considering the high level of baseball Ward has played over the last three years. After playing in 31 games and starting in 18 as a freshman, Ward started 40 games as a sophomore. During his sophomore season he batted .308 and finished second on the team in hits (44), total bases (65), and RBI's (24).

Similar to athletes like Ken Griffey Jr., Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders and even Columbia's own John Baumann, Ward was a two-sport star all throughout high school. At Cheverus High School in Limington, Maine, Ward was a two-time basketball captain and captain of the baseball team senior year.

That athletic success continued at Columbia, where Ward played a significant role for the Lions during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Coming into his junior season, Ward seemed poised to break out and establish himself as a middle of the lineup hitter. Life threw Andrew a curveball, however, in the form a mid-season injury. After starting the first 21 games of the season, Ward injured his hamstring on March 28 during a game against Ivy rival St. John's.

"When he got hurt last year, it was a big loss to us, no question about it," Boretti said. "It was at the beginning of Ivy play when he was starting to come around." Boretti seems confident, however, that Ward has recovered from the injury, "He's fine, he hasn't had an issue at all [with his injury] and he's strong as an ox. So he should be good to go. Andrew's a strong competitor, he's very level-headed, and I'm looking forward to have him for a full year here."

With Columbia coming off of a 13-32 season (6-14 Ivy League), it's imperative to the Lions' season that Ward rediscovers his form from two years ago. Boretti certainly believes that Ward is up to the challenge. "He's a big strong kid, a fixture in the outfield for us. He's got one of the better arms we have in the outfield, as well as one of the better arms we have on the team, and he's a middle of the lineup guy that we definitely are going to have in there every game."

Ward's impact on the Lions is not only on the field, but in the clubhouse as well. As captain of the team, he has provided senior leadership and guidance for a Lions team that has four freshman and eight sophomores.

Boretti said that his captains have "done a good job of being team leaders this year. The role [they have is one] that they're both comfortable in, and they're both willing to step up and say things that need to be said. We have a very tight knit group... I think that helps us as a team on the field."

Hopefully Andrew Ward's senior leadership and excellent baseball pedigree can lead Columbia to a successful season this year. As captain of the team, Ward is ready to try and navigate them to the top of the Ivy League standings.