The View from Behind the Plate

By Sports Editor Brian Chan

The first time freshman catcher Morgan “Morgy” Davis met the two-time CAA Player of the Year pitcher Kayleigh Lotti. Davis struck out in all three at-bats with the first two coming off 0-2 counts.

Davis is one of Mason’s offensive threats in the middle of the order. She currently leads Mason with a .324 batting average and holds a .568 slugging percentage. In 74 at-bats, she has four home runs, six doubles and 18 RBIs.

Davis brought the power in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader as she helped herself to two home runs. Both home runs gave Mason the lead late in the game, but the team could not hold on in their 6-4 loss to the Towson Tigers in extra innings.

Four years ago, Davis had to fight her way into the lineup. James Madison High School, known for their strong softball program, won five state titles. They last won the state championship 20 years ago. Madison also holds the most records for districts, regionals and states. This was the team Davis had to fight her way on to.

“In my freshman year they did not have any spots on the team, but a girl and I came up and created two spots. We were able to actually start playing and contribute, which was a huge deal to me,” said Davis.

Davis was originally a third baseman at Madison. In 2006, she broke the single-season record with 43 RBIs. She claims that her greatest feat before college was when she hit a home run against the school’s biggest competition in the districts and regionals as a freshman. During her four-year tenure at Madison, Davis received All-District and All-Region accolades. She was also an All-Met Honorable Mention.

Location was one reason that led Davis to the decision to attend Mason.
“It was close enough to home, but I was not sure if I was going to pursue an athletic career. When I decided to, I thought Mason was a good fit,” said Davis, who is currently an undeclared major.

The Fairfax native is already making great strides in just her first year.

Davis debuted against the Central Florida Knights and recorded a single in her first collegiate at-bat. That ended up being her lone hit in Mason’s 4-1 loss. She played a major role in Mason’s four-game sweep over the Youngstown State Penguins as she regained her swing and went 7-for-11 with four RBIs in the series. She went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs in the final game.

“I started working with my swing a little bit because I had been doing a couple things wrong with my swing, so I started making some self-corrections,” said Davis. “My dad started helping me, and I was able to finally get back into my regular swing again.”

Davis credits her parents, especially her father, as her biggest influences in softball.
“My dad [influenced me to play softball] because he kept pushing me to play even when I was done and I did not know what to do with it, but he kept me inspired to keep going,” said Davis.

She would eventually hit her first collegiate home run, which turned out to be a grand slam, against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils in the George Mason Invitational. Her four-RBI performance still remains as her highest output of the season.

Even though her presence has given the team an opportunity to surpass last season’s win total, Davis believes that more improvements can be made.
“I am hoping that we come together as a team better, clean up our play a little bit and win some big games,” said Davis.

There are still questions on Mason’s defense. The team holds the conference’s worst fielding percentage at .922 with 72 errors. In addition, Mason has 11 passed balls, three of which have been charged to Davis. Even though she is primarily the team’s catcher, Davis still desires her former position.

“[I prefer to play] third base because I like being closer up in the action and if I was waiting for the ball, I would not freak out,” said Davis.

Like any other athlete, Davis has her own routine when she takes the field.
“I will not step on the lines and I will not go out to the center and huddle at the beginning of the game,” said Davis.

Off the field, Davis likes to tie-dye, hang out with friends, lift weights and train. She also enjoys watching baseball, especially when it comes to the New York Yankees and her favorite player, Derek Jeter.

“[I idolized] Derek Jeter [while I was growing up] because he is God,” said Davis.
Like Jeter, Davis is one of team’s top offensive players.

Even though four of her nine strikeouts came from last weekend’s series against the Hofstra Pride, Davis is still one of Mason’s toughest batters to strike out. Her 12.2 percent strikeout rate is the lowest on the team.

“Last weekend, [Lotti] owned me, but I was able to get a few hits off of her the next time I faced her,” said Davis.

After being victimized three times against Lotti on Saturday, Davis received payback against the Pride’s ace last Sunday. Despite the 3-1 loss, she went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in the seventh inning. Davis became only the second Mason player to hit a home run off Lotti.