Greenbrier standout is picked for All-Peach Belt Team
Robert Davis had a great deal of potential when he finished up his high school career at Greenbrier. The defensive-minded catcher was drafted by the San Francisco Giants out of high school, but he chose to go to college and wound up at University of South Carolina Aiken.
In the past couple of seasons, Davis has blossomed into one of the top hitters in the Peach Belt Conference. The 5-11 junior was named to the 2005 All-Peach Belt Team this past week after a monster season at the plate.
He started all 50 games for the Pacers, hitting .389 with six homers and a team-best 54 RBI. He also led the team with 20 doubles and struck out only 11 times in 198 plate appearances.
Davis was a big reason why the Pacers are enjoying one of their finest seasons in school history. They are 36-14 overall and 13-11 in the conference.
Davis wasn't the only Columbia County product to turn heads in the toughest conference in Division II baseball. Fellow Greenbrier graduate Michael Newman was sensational as a true freshmen for Georgia College & State University.
Newman appeared in 12 games for the Bobcats, going 5-0 on the mound and boasting a 2.59 ERA, which was second on the team behind Peach Belt Pitcher of the Year Matt Goyen. Newman walked only five batters in 31.1 innings of work this spring.
Other county natives in the Peach Belt:
USC Aiken
Name (Position): games; batting average; HR/RBI:
Brandon Baranie (OF): 47; .287; 2/28
Ben Tankersley (2b): 11; .400; 0/2
Bob Hatcher (C): 28; .250; 0/2
Scott Wandless (OF): 33; .207; 0/3
Pitchers
Name: W/L; ERA; So's
Nick Wandless: 4-0; 1.07; 38 in 33 innings and 8 saves
Steve Dunham: 6-2; 3.08; 74 k's and 16 walks in 87 innings Augusta State
Name (Position): games; avg.; HR/RBI
Jeremy Armstrong (C): 30; .312; 18 RBI in 80 at bats
Preston Crews (IF-P): 30; .250 batting average
Pitchers
Preston Crews: 12 appearances; 2-1; 3.92 ERA
Justin Walker: 15 appearances; 2-5; 7.35 era.
These players make Columbia County proud.