WVU Baseball
WVU’s Top Hitter Austin Davis To Return For Unfinished Business
With four pitchers drafted in the 2021 MLB and two infield starters entering the transfer portal, West Virginia baseball has received a boost from last season’s top hitter.
Junior outfielder Austin Davis has announced, via Twitter, that he has some unfinished business in Morgantown and will return for his senior season. Last season’s leader in batting average and hits, Davis (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) will bring his two-way game to Mon County Ballpark one more time.
They really going to feel me and my boys this year… and I’m not joking!!!
– AD back @WVUBaseball pic.twitter.com/f97Mpx9z0V— Austin Davis (@Adavis_21) July 14, 2021
The junior from Orlando, Florida has improved during each of his three seasons in Morgantown. As a freshman, Davis batted .220 in 59 at-bats, recording 13 hits to 18 strikeouts. With just one extra-base hit and a .237 slugging percentage, his bat didn’t really pop. However, he did show off his speed and base running ability, nabbing 12 stolen bases. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he broke out.
In 59 at-bats, Davis batted .322 with 19 hits, five extra-base hits and 10 RBI. His slugging percentage jumped from .237 to .424 with 11 strikeouts to five walks. And he stole six more bases. As a junior, Davis led the Mountaineers with a .320 batting average and 56 hits. He knocked 11 extra-base hits, including his first collegiate home runs, and 18 RBI while slugging .400 with a .390 on-base percentage. He stole 17 bases too.
In addition to his vastly improved bat, a hitting machine over the last season and change, his defense has been exemplary. It even caught the attention of ESPN a few times. A long-ranged diving grab against Marshall and a home run robbery against Texas both made ESPN’s Top 10 plays last season.
#️⃣✌️#HailWV | @Adavis_21 pic.twitter.com/EFv6jUHsCR
— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) May 12, 2021
#NCAABaseball Plays of the Week ⚾️
2️⃣ | @WVUBaseball Austin Davis makes an incredible catch at the wall in right field, robbing a grand slam. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/JeHIVjrSFq
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 2, 2021
While Davis played with the West Virginia Black Bears in the MLB Draft League this summer, he only played in two games.
Joining Davis in returning to WVU next season, and a current player with the Black Bears, WVU pitcher Zach Ottinger also announced he will be returning to Morgantown next season.