In its last two games, the baseball team has exploded offensively, posting a combined 25 runs and surging to key victories over Massachusetts Maritime and Bates College. Much of the recent offensive success can be attributed to the play of sophomore first baseman Bryan McDavitt, who has brought a solid and explosive bat to the Tufts lineup. McDavitt blasted a grand slam and a three-run homer this past weekend against Bates, and has been among the leaders in key offensive categories this season.
McDavitt is hitting .368, with a .605 slugging percentage and is leading the team in hits (14), RBIs (10), home runs (two), and total bases (23). McDavitt attributes much of the recent success to the preparation and teaching of coach John Casey.
"I've seen the ball a lot at the plate so far," McDavitt said. "I've listened to Coach, who has kept telling me to stay back and try to hit the ball the other way."
McDavitt also commended Casey for molding him into a solid first baseman. McDavitt played third base and shortstop in high school, and said the switch to first base required learning different footwork and positioning skills.
According to Casey, McDavitt is a unique player whose success comes from his hard work and diligence.
"He's tough, competitive, plays hard and just loves baseball," Casey said. "He does what we ask our hitters to do, and he's the type of kid we look for. Hopefully he'll keep it going."
Baseball is not the only sport in which McDavitt excels. The Holden, Mass., native played both baseball and football all four years of his high school career, and decided to pursue both at the collegiate level. In the fall, he straps on pads and steps on the football field where he plays defensive back and punter for the Jumbos. Last season, McDavitt recorded 37 tackles and defended five sacks. However, he admits that balancing two sports along with academic rigors can be a challenge.
"It's a lot of commitment and it's tough playing both sports," McDavitt said. "I always have something going on, and have to sacrifice some social privileges with it. But I love playing and competing."
McDavitt plays under coach Bill Samko, the head football coach and an assistant coach of the baseball team, in both sports. According to Samko, McDavitt has been a rock of stability and a playmaker when it counts for both teams, and although McDavitt may not be the biggest guy on the field (standing 5' 10" and weighing in at 185 lbs) he makes up for his size with hard work and consistency.
"He's a great kid, and has been very dependable for us," Samko said. "His greatest strength is his tenacity. You know what you're going to get with him. He's not the biggest or fastest guy out there, but when the money is on the line he's at his best. He makes plays and it's a testament to his competitiveness."
According to McDavitt, the transition from high school to collegiate athletics posed some challenges, especially on the football field, because of the depth of knowledge and complex plays he is responsible for knowing. McDavitt took on the role of starting safety last season for the Jumbos, and is responsible for calling out many of the defensive schemes. The transition to collegiate level baseball, McDavitt's favorite of the two, was not as challenging.
"There was not much of a transition for me playing baseball," McDavitt said. "I'm more of a baseball guy. I grew up playing baseball, my dad played in college, and I just always had a love for it."
Despite his offensive success this season, McDavitt's main concern is the success of the team.
"The numbers don't matter," McDavitt said. "[The team] has to build on what we've done so far, and I just want to make a run at it this year, and make it to the playoffs."
