Published: July 26, 2008 12:12 am            

Sticking together

Former Hornets ready to begin

For a couple of years, Ethan Woods and Justin Davis have played pitch and catch on the diamond for the Huntsville Hornets. After having strong senior seasons, they now have a unique situation where they don’t have to split up after high school.

Both Woods and Davis are headed to Dallas this fall to play for the Richland College Thunderducks.

“It’s a pretty good deal,” Woods said. “We’ve played together for about two years and it’s good we don’t have to split up. We’re comfortable with each other and we’re pretty good friends, too.”

For Davis, it’s a relief that he doesn’t have to learn to get used to a new catcher.

“It’s great,” Davis said. “We have really clicked these past two years. Ethan knows my limits as a pitcher. He knows how I strike people out. He knows when I need to be a power pitcher and when I need to show some finesse.

“It’s good that he’s coming to Richland with me because it can be hard to get used to a new catcher in one offseason.”

The pair helped the Hornets set a new school record for wins (21) in their final season as Hornets. They helped the Hornets reach the Region III quarterfinal round in the Class 4A playoffs and garnered 18-4A all-district recognition. Woods was selected to the second team as a catcher and Davis was tabbed to the first team as a pitcher and a shortstop.

“It was just a great senior season at Huntsville,” Davis said. “We set some school records and that was really good. We won more games in a season than any other Hornet team did and we went further in the playoffs than any Huntsville team.”

Woods and Davis were recruited together by Richland head coach Joe Wharton.

“We went for a visit,” Davis said. “They had us pitch and catch. They liked us and we liked the school. Two weeks later we signed with them.

“We fall into a good situation because coach Wharton told us that we have positions available to us. He said he has a spot in the rotation and in the infield for me. Ethan also is going to be catching. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Woods and Davis join a Richland team that has been dominant over the past decade. The Thunderducks have been to the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series seven times in the past 10 years with three national championships in 2002, 2003 and most recently in 2004.

This past year, Richland finished with a record of 40-23. The Thunderducks finished in a three-way tie for first in the Metro Athletic Conference with Tyler Junior College and Eastfield College and went undefeated in the District C playoffs to advance to the World Series.

Richland took third place in the 2008 NJCAA World Series. After winning the first two games, the Thunderducks lost their final two games to the eventual national champion Joliet Junior College and runner-up Glouchester County College.

“It gives you an edge knowing that you’re going to play for a strong program,” Davis said, “but at the same time, you have your work cut out for you. You got to go out there and work hard and earn your spot on the roster. If you slip up a little bit, you can lose your spot pretty quick.”

Woods and Davis also get the benefit of not having to wait long before they start playing games in the fall with their first game being at the beginning of September.

“It’s good that we can get started right away,” Davis said. “It’s great. I can’t wait until our first game.”

        

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