BY DAVID SHAW
SALISBURY POST

A snapshot of Davie County’s 15-3 baseball season is slowly developing — and it’s a picture worth saving.

Here are the War Eagles, a team closer than freckles on a redhead, doing the unexpected, winning game after game and producing enough Kodak moments to fill a scrapbook.

“The thing about it is, if you come watch us play we’re not flashy,” says third-year coach Mike Herndon. “We’re not fancy. When we take infield nobody’s watching us going ‘Wow!’ We’re just blue-collar workers who go at it, play hard and do what it takes to win.”

In its punch-the-clock manner, Davie has positioned itself to win this year’s Cliff Peeler Classic at Newman Park, something it’s never done.

“We kind of feel this is our year,” says ace pitcher Travis Allen, one of seven seniors on the roster. “We’d like to do something special, something they’ll remember around here.”

The tournament has already provided a page full of fond memories for the Eagles’ Cody Wright. A junior right-hander, he pumped up the volume Thursday night by pitching a five-inning no-hitter against Salisbury, earning his fourth win in five decisions and lowering his ERA to 1.91.

Then came Saturday’s efficient 6-2 semifinal win over West Rowan, a victory that propelled Davie into Monday’s 7 p.m. championship game against hot-at-the-right time South Rowan (7-10).

“Now that would be special,” says Lonnie “Hammer” Barnes, Davie’s wizard-of-odd title-game starter. “They can be as hot as they like. I’m confident because of the defense behind me. I’m gonna serve it up and let them hit it because my defense will be right there. They can hit it to any of the nine spots on the field and the play will be made.”

None of this surprises Jeffrey Jones, the senior catcher who has more-than-adequately replaced all-conference backstop Drew Ridenhour this spring.

“We take pride in our defense,” he says. “That’s the biggest thing. Throw in some excellent pitching and guys who hit the ball hard all the time. Put all that together and this is what you get — a team that wins.”

Jones has played a pivotal role, committing only one error (.989 fielding average) and quarterbacking a pitching staff that boasts a 1.88 team ERA with seven complete games.

“Jonesy is amazing,” says Barnes. “With him back there I’ve got the guts to throw my curveball anytime, even if there’s a man on third and we’re a run down. I know he’ll go and get the ball even if he has to take it off his teeth.”

Just as amazing is Jones’ .342 batting average, a full helping of gravy considering he made all of one plate appearance last season. “We’ve had a lot of little surprises like that,” says Herndon.

Another has been the two-way play of licorice-thin infielder Ricky Bentley, a senior who struggled to keep his BA above .200 in 2000. This year he’s hitting at a .450 clip with a .615 on-base percentage. “He’s just so much more confident, both with the stick and in the field,” Herdon notes.

Then there’s Andrew Daywalt, the junior who scattered seven hits in six innings yesterday. He owns a 2-1 pitching record and keeps his office clean at shortstop, but his best position is the batter’s box, where his 27 hits and .491 batting average pace the team.

“I’m not too worried about personal stuff like that,” he says in typical humblespeak. “As long as we’re winning. That’s all that matters.”

No one has triumphed more often than Allen, whose 7-0 record and 1.16 ERA have him popping up on college recruiters’ radar screens.

“It couldn’t happen to a better person,” says Herndon. “He’s come and worked harder than any pitcher we’ve had. And the results have shown. I think he’ll have an opportunity to pitch somewhere next year.”

Allen hurled a perfect seventh inning Saturday, fanning West’s Corey Rolla and Matt Morgan, then coaxing a game-ending infield popout from Shawn Trosper.

“Every time I’m out there pitching,” Allen says, “I’m thinking it might be my last time playing with these guys. No one wants this to end, so I like to savor every moment. I have to.”

For certain, more memories — and perhaps a tournament crown —wait in the on-deck circle for the Davie War Eagles.