NEWS

 

DAVIDSON — No help or tiebreakers needed — the Davidson Wildcats are the outright Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season champions.

The Wildcats earned that distinction for the first time in school history with Saturday’s 12-4 win over George Mason in the final game of the regular season.

Davidson wrapped up the regular season 42-11 overall and 20-4 in the A-10. Both records are program-bests.

“It’s awesome,” said senior center fielder Parker Nolan. “We had high expectations for ourselves this year, but to actually see them through and be what we thought we could be is really, really special.”

The Wildcats entered the final three-game series with the Patriots with a magic number of two. In other words, to lock up the outright title, Davidson needed either two wins, two VCU losses or one of each. With VCU sweeping Fordham, that left it all up to the Wildcats to help themselves. Saturday’s win followed a 17-4 win over the Patriots, which itself secured the top seed in the seven-team A-10 tournament.

“I’m so happy for this group to have this honor,” said coach Rucker Taylor. “Our players, coaches, families, support staff, administration … everyone involved has been pulling in the same direction to make this possible. I’m proud of the seniors for their leadership and for the team with how they have played and acted as a group. Winning 42 games in the regular season is special, and I’m glad this group of people was able to set so many school records along the way.”

Though George Mason, another A-10 postseason team, started Saturday with a first-pitch home run from leadoff man South Trimble, the Wildcats built a 10-1 lead en route to the victory.

Two days after hitting two grand slams and driving in nine runs, Trevor Candelaria went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run and drove in five to lead the way. His three-run home run in the sixth, his 12th of the year, made it 10-1.

John Hosmer drove in the Wildcats’ first run with a double and also hit a two-run shot, his eighth, as part of a four-run fourth. Jake Wilhoitsingled in a run in the second and drove in two more with a sixth-inning triple, and Jacob Hinderleider joined Candelaria, Hosmer and Wilhoit with two hits.

Ryan Feczko threw 5.2 innings and improved to 10-0. Aside from Trimble’s early homer, he surrendered just two other hits and struck out three.

Saturday’s game was called with one out in the top of the eighth due to afternoon thunderstorms.

Up Next
The A-10 Tournament will run May 24-28 at Wilson Field in Davidson. The Wildcats will have a first-round bye and open play on Wednesday, May 25 at noon against the winner of Tuesday’s No. 4 vs. No. 5 game.