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Drew
Apr 6, 2007 13:29:22 GMT -5
Post by elonfirefighter on Apr 6, 2007 13:29:22 GMT -5
This article sums it up pretty good, Elon is hitting its stride now
Catcher's Journal Available at CollegeBaseballInsider.com 4/5/2007
Drew Davis is a fifth-year senior catcher - and three-year captain - for Elon who will contribute a weekly journal to CollegeBaseballInsider.com in 2007. Davis, a native of Salisbury, N.C., was injured the opening weekend of the year in 2006 and missed the remainder of the season. Prior to his injury, Davis hit .327 with three homers and 44 RBI in 2005 and .351 with six homers and 51 RBI in 2004. He spent last summer playing for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod Summer League. Davis is taking advantage of his fifth year to earn a degree in business administration with a concentration in finance to go along with the accounting degree he expects to receive in May. Through 32 games, Davis is batting .295 with 20 RBI for the 18-14 Phoenix.
This past week marked the halfway point in the season. It feels like just yesterday we were leaving for Opening Day at Coastal Carolina. This is my fifth season, and it feels like each year goes by just a little quicker.
During my freshman and sophomore years, I can remember seniors telling me to enjoy it because it flies by. Now the roles are reversed: I’m telling the young guys that it goes by quicker than you think. And with that same ‘whatever’ head nod and gaze of ignorance I had few a years ago, they respond with a half-hearted “It does,” never fully understanding what little time they have left. They say ignorance is bliss; conceivably that might make it easier to play not thinking about life after baseball, at least as underclassmen.
I was reminded once again that my college career is almost over when I was checking my mail this week. I received notice that my cap and gown was ready to be picked up, as well as a schedule on graduation day and a notice that I need to be moved out of my apartment by May 31.
The past week presented an opportunity that might not ever happen again at Elon, the top-ranked team came to us. Typically we are the ones traveling to the ACC and SEC schools, but it was nice to get the South Carolina Gamecocks on our field. The home crowd was great, as usual, and the atmosphere was electric. Unfortunately a six-run inning quickly erased our two-run lead, and we lost 10-6.
The Davidson Wildcats visited for a pivotal conference tilt. Finally, we were able to capitalize on a sweep opportunity. Anytime you can sweep a conference opponent, you put yourself in a good spot to make a run. We look to continue playing better baseball throughout the second half because for us seniors, our days our numbered, and we would like nothing more to extend our season as long as possible.
This season has been characterized by ups and downs as our mid-season record 14-14 indicates. The 4-0 start to the second half, with our sweep of Davidson and win last night over Wake Forest, could be a sign that we are hitting our stride. One can hope that after absorbing a rash of injuries, returning to health could provide us with a much needed shot in the arm for the stretch run.
We have a big weekend conference weekend as we travel to Georgia Southern. They are always as talented as any team in the conference, and we know we are going to have to play well to win. Hopefully, the six-hour bus trip will go by as fast as the season has thus far.
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Drew
Apr 12, 2007 21:14:08 GMT -5
Post by elon_phan on Apr 12, 2007 21:14:08 GMT -5
Journal Entry Posted Each Week at CollegeBaseballInsider.com 4/12/2007
Drew Davis is a fifth-year senior catcher - and three-year captain - for Elon who will contribute a weekly journal to CollegeBaseballInsider.com in 2007. Davis, a native of Salisbury, N.C., was injured the opening weekend of the year in 2006 and missed the remainder of the season. Prior to his injury, Davis hit .327 with three homers and 44 RBI in 2005 and .351 with six homers and 51 RBI in 2004. He spent last summer playing for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod Summer League. Davis is taking advantage of his fifth year to earn a degree in business administration with a concentration in finance to go along with the accounting degree he expects to receive in May. Through 35 games, Davis is batting .296 with 20 RBI for the 20-15 Phoenix.
The trip to Georgia Southern is by no means a team favorite, and needless to say this year’s trip got off on the wrong foot.
When the bus pulled up, we realized it was not our regular bus, instead a shorter antiquated version of the one we have become accustomed to over the last few years. As if to add insult of injury, we did not have our traditional driver “Big D,” who had called in sick. The thought of a six-hour bus ride to Statesboro, Ga., could make anyone sick to their stomach.
“Big D” is legendary for his lead-foot, and if there was ever a trip when he was needed most, it was the trip to Georgia Southern. But much like how our season has gone thus far, you have to go with what you got.
Marvin, the new driver, didn’t make any friends the first day. We were getting passed on the interstate as though we were driving backwards, and the six-hour trip turned into what seemed like a seven-hour marathon.
Marvin however, turned out to be the man. He was a Phoenix fanatic in the stands, defending us in the face of some staunch hecklers. Throughout the first two games, he had plenty to cheer about.
Friday, we rode strong starting pitching and held on for 5-4 victory.
Saturday was the definition of a team win. We had two freshmen come off the bench for clutch RBI, and the bullpen stepped up. With all the chaos of substituting, coupled with our lack of depth, I found myself playing third, and I hadn’t fielded a ground ball in over two years. But somehow we managed a 4-3 extra-inning win.
After the first two games, everything seemed to be going our way. We were riding a six-game win streak, we had taken the first two games and it felt like we were starting to play our best baseball of the year. But we have struggled to complete sweeps all season, and we knew Georgia Southern would not roll over for us.
After drawing first blood, we relinquished an early four-run lead and then a two-run lead in the ninth, as Georgia Southern emerged victorious in another one-run affair. Sunday’s game was certainly not short on drama; a game that featured a coach ejection, bench warnings and nearly a bench-clearing brawl. A bus ride is not fun after an emotionally draining loss.
As I focus on the positives, I’ve realized that we’re only one game off of last year’s conference championship pace, and that has been without our best hitter for two conference series. If we can continue to play better baseball, getting stronger as the season winds down, our goals will be within reach.
We get another opportunity to knock off a ranked opponent when the No. 2 Tar Heels come to our park. Weather permitting, the atmosphere should be electric, and hopefully, we will give them something to cheer about.
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Drew
Apr 12, 2007 21:47:11 GMT -5
Post by Adam on Apr 12, 2007 21:47:11 GMT -5
What coach was ejected at GSU?
If it was Kennedy, what does that mean for the suspension time this year?
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Drew
Apr 13, 2007 7:15:41 GMT -5
Post by elonfirefighter on Apr 13, 2007 7:15:41 GMT -5
i think its 10 games now, because that would be the 3rd time it 3 years, ill look up the rules
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Drew
Apr 13, 2007 16:05:29 GMT -5
Post by Adam on Apr 13, 2007 16:05:29 GMT -5
Ok, if Kennedy was ejected again and that is ten games. That is 1/5 of the season.
Is it me or is there a point where a line has to be drawn?
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Drew
Apr 13, 2007 16:33:54 GMT -5
Post by elonfirefighter on Apr 13, 2007 16:33:54 GMT -5
I got this from the GS board. BTW it was the other team coach that was ejected
May be wrong, but im pretty sure its a revolving two year schedule. The first time a manager gets tossed, its two games. If it happens again that year or the next, the second suspension will be 4 games. If a manager has been suspended for 4 games and gets tossed once he returns, its 8 games. Coaches have a clean slate after two years of no ejections. These suspensions also do not effect non-conference games, as the coach is still able to coach.
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Drew
Apr 13, 2007 16:36:24 GMT -5
Post by elonfirefighter on Apr 13, 2007 16:36:24 GMT -5
adam i agree 1 ejection a year of a bad all does not warrent a 8 game suspension. thats 3 conf teams, if you include the remainder of the game ejected, making it 9. Harsh rules and i dot fully agree though i see the conf standpoint
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Drew
Apr 26, 2007 10:45:41 GMT -5
Post by elon_phan on Apr 26, 2007 10:45:41 GMT -5
4/26/2007
Sick to my stomach By Drew Davis Elon Catcher
Drew Davis is a fifth-year senior catcher - and three-year captain - for Elon who will contribute a weekly journal to CollegeBaseballInsider.com in 2007. Davis, a native of Salisbury, N.C., was injured the opening weekend of the year in 2006 and missed the remainder of the season. Prior to his injury, Davis hit .327 with three homers and 44 RBI in 2005 and .351 with six homers and 51 RBI in 2004. He spent last summer playing for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod Summer League. Davis is taking advantage of his fifth year to earn a degree in business administration with a concentration in finance to go along with the accounting degree he expects to receive in May. Through 44 games, Davis is batting .310 with 24 runs and 20 RBI for the 24-20 Phoenix.
It all started two weeks ago. I set my alarm for 6:45 for the impending tarp duty the next morning. Little did I know the horror that awaited.
I woke up sick at 4 in the morning and spent the next eight hours hugged up to the toilet. Some guys on the team had contracted a virus that had seemingly spread over the last few weeks, so I guess it was my turn.
If it was in my body, it was coming out; so with no end in sight, I decided it was time to go to the hospital. My teammate, KP (who also doubles as editor-in-chief for the journal) thankfully was available to take me to the hospital.
With the sounds of my nausea echoing through the emergency room hallways I was hastily moved to a back room. I spent the rest of that Thursday receiving IVs and getting shot up with other medicines.
I would like to tell you that I was able to play in the upcoming series with Furman, but there was no gutting this one out. Unfortunately, the only thing I was able to do was to force down some saltine crackers the next few days. You never fully appreciate the value of a saltine until you need them the most.
The Phoenix were cruising right along without me, winning 15-4 and 8-3, but just like many times this season, we were unable to complete the sweep, dropping the final game of the Saturday doubleheader.
I’ve tried to reason what might be worse, spending the day in the hospital wishing for a good meal and an easy stomach or watching a conference series slip away with very few left on the slate for your career. I can’t quite decide, but they both share in their misery.
I was able to get back on the field Tuesday against UNC Wilmington, but the sickening feeling remained. We were cruising along with a four-run lead in the eighth, when the wheels fell off. After I misplayed a bunt, Wilmington completed the comeback and went on to win 8-7.
It was not the way we wanted to go into the biggest weekend of the year against Western Carolina. The Western trip is the worst trip of the year simply because there is nothing there. I remember two years ago when we tried to find a place to eat and everything was closed. I think they roll up the sidewalks when the sun goes down in the mountains.
The way the next three games turned out would make anybody sick to their stomach. We lost Friday after Western scored to break a tie game in the eighth; Saturday we blew a lead in the ninth, and Sunday we lost in extra innings.
There’s something about losing one-run games in baseball. You seem to go over every at-bat, every pitch call and every situation to somehow justify, or in this case, pin the defeat on one scenario.
But, what makes baseball such a unique game is that every pitch is an opportunity, so in every losing effort there is that opportunity where you could have done more. That’s what has been especially tough to swallow, being so close in so many games with very little to show but a bunch of second guesses.
Fortunately for us the final three conference series are at home. It is always nice to play at home; hopefully, we can use the home field advantage to get on a roll going into the conference tournament.
But first we head to Clemson to take on the Tigers tomorrow. It is always exciting to head down to Clemson and play a great team in front of a large crowd.
One of my favorite quotes is, “Fire is the test of gold; adversity, strong men.” The season has not gone how we wanted, but it is not over. The next month will unmask what guys are made of.
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Drew
May 6, 2007 20:43:04 GMT -5
Post by elon_phan on May 6, 2007 20:43:04 GMT -5
Davis Talks About Clemson, UNCG in Latest Journal Entry 5/4/2007
The annual trip to Clemson is always an exciting one. The opportunity to play a great team in front of a great crowd is what it is all about.
Typically over the years, we have played Clemson tough, and this year was no different. After going back and forth early on, we were able to hold on for a 13-12 victory, marking my third victory over the Tigers.
The trip to Clemson typically takes four hours, so after long game with a 7:15 start time, we knew we were going to be getting back late; or early, depending on how you look at it.
Unfortunately for me I’m not a bus sleeper, so I couldn’t just close my eyes and find myself back at Elon. After two movies, “Saving Silverman” and “Zoolander,” we should have been close to home, but I guess the bus driver preferred safety over a good night sleep. I swear at one point we going up a hill and we came to a complete stop in the middle of the interstate.
We finally pulled into Elon a little after 4 in the morning, and as I was getting ready for bed an hour later, I could hear the birds chirping in anticipation for sunrise.
Even though the trip was long, beating a ranked team made it worthwhile. But we couldn’t savior the victory for long as UNC Asheville was coming to town in a few hours.
The thought of having to turn around and play so quick after a big victory was a scary one, especially given this team’s history. Depending on what Phoenix team you get, we can beat or get beat by anybody, a characteristic that is especially difficult to deal with over the course of a season.
I knew we were going to be in for a close game as guys started showing up for BP with the glazed look you can only get from having four hours of sleep. Fortunately, we were able to get good starting pitching out of freshman Daniel Britt as we sleep-walked our way to a 7-4 win.
The weekend brought in nearby rival UNC Greensboro. The series was much more than just bragging rights as the Spartans were one spot behind us in the conference standings.
In a season that has been characterized by its ups and downs, you could argue that the lone constant has been our ace Steven Hensley.
As we headed into the first game of the series, everyone was expecting a pitching duel. Greensboro was throwing a guy who beat us last year, and we were throwing Hensley. But, with the Phoenix you learn to expect the unexpected. Greensboro knocked Hensley out after only five innings and went on to win 12-3.
Like many times this season, just when we feel as though we are starting to play better or we are starting to get on a roll, we drop a game we shouldn’t. What made this one so tough is that they punched us in the mouth with our ace on the mound, and that had not happened all season.
The loss Friday night I felt stung more than any this season, and after seven and half innings on Saturday, we were in danger of dropping the first two games. To our credit, we have been able to turn things around this season just as quickly as the have fallen apart.
Finally, the bats came alive for the first time since Clemson and Ryan “Chili” Adams’ pinch-hit homer capped off a five-run eighth. We able to close out the 7-5 win to even the series at one apiece.
Sunday’s victory marked our first Sunday win in nearly a month. Typically Sunday games this year have shown our inability to complete a sweep, or in last weekend’s series, our inability to avoid a sweep.
The thing that I love, and hate, about this team is that you never know what you are going to get. A couple days after being swept by Western Carolina, we go down to Clemson and beat a ranked team. A few days later we lose a game we feel like we should win.
Given our current position in the season, we realize that our goal of winning the regular season is all but out the window; at the same time, we have a great opportunity to get hot going into the conference tournament.
The conference leader comes to town this weekend in College of Charleston. A model of consistency, they have been the opposite of the “Jekyll & Hyde” Phoenix. But if this season has showed us anything, there is no telling what will happen.
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Drew
May 30, 2007 10:52:06 GMT -5
Post by elon_phan on May 30, 2007 10:52:06 GMT -5
Game Over - Drew Davis' Final Journal Entry 5/30/2007 Game Over
By Drew Davis Elon Catcher
Drew Davis is a fifth-year senior catcher - and three-year captain - for Elon who will contribute a weekly journal to CollegeBaseballInsider.com in 2007. Davis, a native of Salisbury, N.C., was injured the opening weekend of the year in 2006 and missed the remainder of the season. Prior to his injury, Davis hit .327 with three homers and 44 RBI in 2005 and .351 with six homers and 51 RBI in 2004. He spent last summer playing for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod Summer League. Davis is taking advantage of his fifth year to earn a degree in business administration with a concentration in finance to go along with the accounting degree he expects to receive in May.
Davis capped a tremendous career by leading the 32-29 Phoenix in hitting with a .360 average. He scored 42 runs (fourth) and had 14 doubles (tied for first). He also homered once and drove in 35 while walking 21 times (and was hit 11 times) and striking out only 11 times in 189 at-bats.
I was sitting at the annual athletic banquet a few weeks ago when it hit me that this is the last time I’ll be here. The athletic banquet brings all of Elon’s teams together to celebrate a year of sports, and the school does a really nice job of putting things together.
As video highlights of the year were played, I was reminded of my time at Elon. It seems like just yesterday I was a freshman watching the highlights for the first time, and as this season’s highlights were played, I was busy replaying five years of own memories complete with past teammates and memorable on field moments.
As the highlights played, some pictures of last year’s team were shown. Those guys will always be special to me, they are the ones I came here with, and there were times this year when I would’ve given anything to have them back for one more season. Even so, I was still shocked they weren’t sitting across from me at this banquet. Those images and this banquet reminded me that next year there won’t be a year of baseball or an athletic banquet.
The athletic banquet signified the beginning of the end; exams, graduation and Senior Day were right around the corner. The break for exams gave us a chance to regroup and prepare for a postseason run.
The first game back from break was a nice shot of confidence as we beat East Carolina 4-2, but losing three out of our next four games was not how we wanted to enter the conference tournament.
The conference tournament is an exciting time. With a regional berth on the line, the intensity of every game is magnified. We had our fair share of ups and downs throughout the season, but the tournament is a fresh start with everyone 0-0.
With final grades coming in, we made an analogy between exams and the impending conference tournament. Much like a student needing to ace a final to pass, we needed to ace the tournament in order to keep our season alive; and in doing so, realize the goals we had set prior to the season.
Unfortunately, we did not “ace” the tournament. We cruised in Game 1, but a controversial call (and I’ll leave it at that) in Game 2 against the host, The Citadel, took our three-run lead and turned it into a one-run deficit going into the top half of the 8th.
We could have packed it in right there, but we didn’t. With only a few hours of sleep, we were back playing Appalachian State. A come-from-behind victory, well after midnight, against UNC Greensboro completed our day of survival.
Our season and my career ended the next afternoon. We got our second chance against The Citadel, but we couldn’t take advantage.
I knew the day would come in which I would play my last baseball game. It was one that I was not looking forward to. As the final out was recorded, I was not sure how I would react. Emotions did not set in until our huddle in the outfield, when coach addressed the team.
It is an extremely tough day realizing you’ll never play baseball again. I’ve been playing organized baseball since I was four years old, and the last several years my life has been nothing but baseball. It is an awkward feeling. As you age, you go through stages of your life where you are unsure about the future. Baseball has always been a crutch for me as I’ve moved forward during those times.
I’m not sure if it has completely set in that my career is over. The day after we were eliminated just felt like another off-day; it felt like we would have practice the next day. But instead of practice the next day, I had to pack for the approaching move-out date.
I guess it will set in a little more over the summer. Typically I spend my summers in some distant wood-bat league. But instead of baseball this summer, I have grad school.
As I sit here and write this journal, the apartment is quiet, the rest of my roommates have moved out, and I sit among moving boxes. My time at Elon is over, but the experience is one that has shaped my life, molding me into the person I am and hope to become.
A funny occurrence happened yesterday. A former Elon teammate’s wedding is on the horizon, and he needed my measurements for a suit. I was at Brooks Brothers when a guy came up to me and said, “So, what happened against The Citadel?”
I guess he recognized my Phoenix Baseball shirt I had on. Come to find out he was an Elon alum. We talked awhile about the season, and he knew everything about the team - in fact he reads the journal. Elon is a small school, but people take pride in it. People ask if I’m glad that I went to Elon. I always reply, “I never could image playing anywhere else.” Deciding to play baseball at Elon was the best decision I ever made.
If I could describe it any better I would, but it’s almost like something’s in the water, or in the oak trees, because people always come back, especially baseball. In time, I will be no different; I just don’t know if I can embrace that next step right yet.
Life without baseball is a scary thought. Several of my past teammates have called over the last couple days, mostly to see how I was handling life after baseball. I guess I’ll be making those calls next year. Even though I’m done playing, I’ll always be a part of the Elon baseball family and that is a comforting feeling.
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Drew
May 30, 2007 11:20:51 GMT -5
Post by elonfirefighter on May 30, 2007 11:20:51 GMT -5
I would like to thank Davis for his articles I knew him when i was on the team my fresh year and hes a great guy I wish him all the luck in his career and life
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