Davis baseball continues to win with the longball

KAYSVILLE, Utah — Nothing is guaranteed to give opposing pitchers unending nightmares more than seeing the next Davis (Kaysville, Utah) batter step up to the plate.

Davis has done a fine job of creating its own version of "murders' row" this season. At 18-3, the Darts have the best record among Class 5A baseball teams in Utah because they have mastered the art of scoring runs early and often.

Davis averages 9.9 runs per game and has scored at least one run in all but one game this season.

"We can flat out swing it from one through nine," Davis coach Dave Leo said.
 
Leading the way are seniors Zac Fuller, Bronson Larsen and Jackson Peacock. Larsen is the top home run hitter in Class 5A with eight this season. Peacock and Fuller are not too far behind in the category with six and five, respectively.

At one time this season, these three players ranked as the top three home run hitters in Class 5A. All three still rank in the top five.

This sort of firepower has made Davis emerge as an extremely dangerous team going into the state tournament later this month.

"There's no weak spot in our lineup," Fuller said. "No pitcher has time to relax. We have hitter after hitter that can do some damage."

What sets Larsen, Peacock and Fuller apart from the average hitter is their collective work ethic. It is not uncommon to find all three spending extra time hitting after practice or putting in multiple hours on their own in the batting cages. This drive to perfect their hitting has paid off on game day.

All three agree that playing on the same team fuels their desire to reach their hitting potential.

"It pushes you to want to be better and keep up," Larsen said. "It's fun to have them on the same team. It's not like a competition really. We're just pushing each other to get better."

It certainly helped Peacock get to a higher level this season after sitting out his junior year while recovering from wrist surgery. He tore a ligament while weightlifting and had to wear a brace for a total of three months while recovering.
Now that Peacock is healthy again, he credits working with teammates like Larsen and Fuller as being a difference-maker in his comeback.

"Last year I wasn't able to throw or do anything or even be a part of the team," Peacock said. "For me to come back this year and be able to compete and play at this level has been really awesome."

Failing is not an option for Fuller, Peacock or Larsen. They do so well at the plate largely because they prepare until nothing but confidence remains. They know they can hit the ball because they put in the work ahead of time.

"Every swing is my best swing," Fuller said. "I'm pretty sure they both feel the same way."

It certainly helps that scoring against the Darts is nearly as difficult as keeping them from scoring. Davis pitchers have shut out seven opponents this season – including five in region play.

Davis has given up an average of one run per game in their last eight contests.

"We put up the runs and we play defense to hold teams," Larsen said. "We know we're going to win games. That's how it's been for us this whole year. It's been awesome."

It has made coaching the Darts a simple task for Leo this season. He doesn't have to try to outsmart the other team with small-ball tactics like bunting and stealing bases. Leo can simply let his players swing and take their best shot.

"They're so dedicated and it makes it fun and easy for a coach," Leo said. "All I have to do is just take care of the bus."

John Coon has covered prep sports in Utah since 2004. He previously worked as a prep sports reporter at the Salt Lake Tribune for 2 1/2 years and then spent 3 1/2 years as a prep sports reporter with the Deseret News. He can be contacted at john_coon@hotmail.com.