CARROLLTON, Ala. — Chase Davidson knew more would be placed on his shoulders this season at Pickens Academy.
Just one of three seniors, the Pirates” ace pitcher would enter his final prep campaign without the run support that propelled the Alabama Independent Schools Association Class 2A squad to a 16-7 record and a second-round playoff berth in 2010.
Davidson benefitted from the run support as a junior, finishing with a 7-1 record and 2.09 ERA.
Though he finished with a 4-3 record in 2011, his ERA was better (1.84) and he threw just one less strikeout (103) than he did in 2010.
With the Pirates averaging just 5.8 runs per game, Davidson knew he had to keep games close when he was on the mound.
“Heading into the offseason, I knew we lost a bunch of seniors and I had to step up,” Davidson said. “It was definitely a learning experience because every team I”d ever played on had some offensive power. We were in mostly one-run games this year, so it was different whenever I was on the mound.”
The 2011 Commercial Dispatch West Alabama Player of the Year got to work last offseason, upping his cardio and workout routine to help prepare for his senior season and also for the next level, where he is signed to play at Shelton State Community College.
He even developed a new pitch: the circle changeup. Davidson already had great command of his fastball and his curveball, but adding the changeup gave him an extra dimension late in the season.
“They say once you master it, it”s one of the easiest pitches to throw,” Davidson said. “It took me a while to get it down, and I”m still working on it during summer ball. It was a pretty good swing-and-miss pitch towards the end of the year. I know I threw it several times in the Marengo game, which is a big game we had to win, and I got a couple of outs on it. When my fastball was working good, I was able to throw that and get some swing and miss.”
Pickens Academy coach Brach White saw Davidson improve in multiple areas, most notably in how effective he threw his fastball.
“His record didn”t reflect him being better, but different things attribute to that sometimes,” White said. “He”s been real effective
for three years and has had deep strikeout numbers each year. He worked real hard in the offseason to get better and was tough in our league.”
White said Davidson”s leadership was key in helping the Pirates reach the playoffs despite a losing record.
Never was that more evident than in Pickens Academy”s regular-season home finale against Southern Academy. The Pirates needed a win to qualify for the playoffs, and Davidson had his best game of the season. He pitched a no-hit shutout, striking out 18 batters and hitting a two-run home run in a 4-0 win.
“I take a lot of pride in that game because we needed it,” he said. “That”s what I”ll remember most about this season.”
The Pirates lost to Autauga Academy in the first round of the playoffs, but the early exit had a silver lining for Davidson. He used the extra time to let his arm heal for summer ball, which he is using to help him prepare for his freshman year of college. Davidson plays for Tuscaloosa Post 34, the same team former Mississippi State second baseman Nick Vickerson and current MSU coach John Cohen played for before playing at MSU.
Davidson plays for Post 34 with Vickerson”s brother Jake and was recruited by MSU before settling on Shelton. He hopes to play at MSU when leaves Shelton.
“A bunch of the kids at Shelton are a lot stronger than me,” Davidson said. “I”ve got to continue to get bigger and stronger and get in better shape. I actually play with a bunch of the kids (on Post 34) I”m gonna be playing with so I know what I”m facing. And once I develop my changeup, that”s about all the pitches I want to have so if I work on that this summer and get it down to where I can throw it anytime in the count, I”ll be happy with that.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.