Both have started every single game since their sophomore year. One has succeeded at every position on the field except pitcher and the other has been one of the most consistent fielders and hitters the Tufts softball program has ever seen.
Senior tri-captains Julie Fox and Deana Davidian were the heart of the Jumbos this past season, and have been an integral part of the team's success over the past four years. They helped bring home three straight NESCAC Championships in 2001, 2002, and 2003, and led the Jumbos to four straight NESCAC victories in the regular season this year to clinch a playoff spot, when critics counted the team down and out.
"Both girls have been completely instrumental in the success of our program over the last four years," coach Cheryl Milligan said. "They are two of the most steadfast, essential players we have had in a while. I can't pick two better people who love the game more and would sacrifice more for this team."
Davidian, who started an astounding 146 of 149 games in her four years, has been a steady force at the top of the lineup for the Jumbos, consistently getting on base in the leadoff spot to make way for Tufts' power hitters. She amassed a batting average of .343 with 158 hits, 84 runs scored, and 48 RBIs. In the field, the quick-footed senior held her own at second base, rarely committing an error and keeping the majority of hard-hit balls in the infield.
"Deana moved around a lot and finally found a home at second base," Milligan said. "She is the quintessential gamer. She doesn't do a whole lot of textbook things, but she got the job done and she's a great model to see what you can do when you think you can do it."
This Pelham, N.Y. native had her most productive season both on offense and on defense this past year. She was first on the team in hits (42), runs scored (24), doubles (8), and triples (1), second in batting average with a .365 mark, fourth in slugging percentage (.478), third in on base percentage (.397), and third in total bases (55).
"There was a point during the season where she single handedly carried this team," Milligan said. "We would not have had our hot streak to make the playoffs without her."
Fox, a native of Willow Springs, Ill., started all but 13 games in her four years. Coming out of high school as a catcher, Fox adapted to almost every other position on the field because the Jumbos already had an All-American catcher in Lis Drake. After playing outfield her freshman year, she settled at third base until her senior season, when upon Drake's graduation, she moved back to catcher.
"Fox is the kind of player that every team wishes they had," Milligan said. "Her freshman year, she came in and saw we had a catcher, so she took one for the team and played the outfield. The same thing happened her senior year: she saw this team needed a catcher and she fought through her arm injuries and caught for us."
Over her four year career, she averaged .351, accumulating 141 hits and scoring 68 runs. She knocked out 11 home runs and had an impressive 90 RBIs with her most dominant season coming in 2003, when she hit in front of Drake and amassed six home runs and 32 RBIs. Fox was also a dominant force in the field at every position she played, earning a .968 fielding percentage over her career.
"After being All-Region the past two seasons, she didn't have her best statistics this season," Milligan said. "Numbers-wise, she probably had the worst season of her career, but what she did for this team was something else."
While Fox and Davidian had impressive careers on the field, perhaps even more impressive has been their leadership off it. After early season struggles defensively, namely at third base with freshman Sarah Taylor, the two captains, along with classmate and fellow tri-captain Maggie McClory, stepped up and gave Taylor the confidence she needed to play the position.
"They had a huge role in Taylor's development," Milligan said. "She was platooning at the time, and like with most athletes at this level, her confidence was going down. We're a pretty close-knit team and they had a huge impact in making her feel comfortable at third base, even more so because she was a freshman. Sarah will be better off three years from now after playing with them; it was a really important experience for her."
When asked what the team would miss most about Fox, Davidian, McClory, and fellow senior Pam Swidler, Milligan's response was concise.
"Everything."
