Marcus Davis, the senior outfielder and closer for the Alcorn State baseball team, will have some high expectations to fill this season as he was named the Southwest Athletic Conference’s preseason baseball player of the year.

Apparently, his superstition of having Big Red gum and sunflower seeds, along with not stepping on foul lines has paid off, as last season Davis led the SWAC in runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, RBI, total bases and slugging percentage. He scored 56 runs, had 72 hits, 15 doubles 12 triples, 64 RBI, 144 total bases and had a slugging percentage of .847. His .424 batting average was good enough for third in the conference, and Davis also went yard 11 times last season.

In 2006 Davis was also named to the All-SWAC first team, the All East Team, the 2006 all-tournament team, most valuable designated hitter, was the NCAA statistical champion in triples and RBI’s, was Blackcollegebaseball.com’s 2006 First Team Position Player and was also named to the CSTV watch list.

Despite turning in all-star numbers and performances, the attention that comes with it is something that is new to Davis.

“It’s a pretty good feeling,” he said. “I’m not used to getting a lot of attention, it’s something new to me.”

Davis is also quick to acknowledge that he had help in reaching the designation of SWAC preseason player of the year.

“I have got to give God credit first for giving me my ability to do it. For RBI’s, I’ve got to give to my teammates for being on base,” he said.

To reach Davis’s level of distinction, one must play a lot of baseball, which is something Davis has done since he was a 5 year-old kid living in Magee, Miss. With the help of his cousin Doyle Langston, Davis like many baseball players, got his start by playing Dixie Youth baseball until the age of 14. From there he played all through junior high and high school, with the exception of his sophomore year.

After high school Davis played at East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss. After his sophomore season, he was drafted by the Florida Marlins baseball team organization in the 21st round, but felt at the time he was not ready to play on the next level. Instead Davis decided to continue playing baseball at Alcorn State University and pursue a degree in computer programming.

“A degree lasts forever, baseball does not,” Davis said.

Despite not going pro early, he insisted he had no regrets.

“My entire family has supported me from and early age, especially my mom, Brenda Davis Griffith.”

Regarding the possibility of being drafted again, Davis said he welcomes the chance but he added that he is confident he will succeed outside of baseball. “If baseball comes along, it would be great, but I am looking for something to do with my computer programming degree,” he said. “Ever since I was young, I have always had a feel for computers. I like the challenge of writing programs.”

In his senior season, Davis will begin his role as more of a closer than in the outfield. Alcorn State head baseball coach Willie McGowan said Davis can throw the baseball over 90 mph, but said his bat is also a valuable commodity to the Braves. As a result McGowan said Davis will see more action on the mound this season and will bat as the Braves’ designated hitter.

“It’s hard to take him out of the lineup,” he said.

Davis said he is comfortable playing either position.

“I am getting a feel for being a pitcher, and I am starting to enjoy that role,” he said. “As long as I am playing baseball, I am happy.”

McGowan said he is confident that Davis can handle any position that he asked to play.

“His attitude toward the game is real good. I am looking for him to be a leader this season as a senior,” McGowan said.

Another thing McGowan said he has confidence in is the Braves 2007 season. “It’s going to be a heck of a season for us,” he said.

Part of his confidence is due to the new baseball stadium that is currently being erected. The down side of having a new stadium is that it will not be finished at the start of the 2007 season, and as a result the Braves will play many of their home games in Natchez, with their first game taking place today.

“The new stadium is going to make a big impact on our program,” he said.

McGowan added he is confident his team will compete well where ever they play, and that playing home games on the road will have little effect.