Sparkman’s Taylor Davis Played In Softball Nationals In Southern California
Huntington Beach, Cal.- Sparkman senior Taylor Davis had a whirlwind summer as one of the top softball players not only in Alabama, but in the United States. Davis participated in the 21st annual Alabama High School Athletic Association All-Star Sports Week softball competition midway through the month of July. Just a few days later, she boarded a plane and headed to Southern California where she played in the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championships as a member of the Birmingham Thunderbolts.
“It was exciting to be among the country’s best high school softball players as there are good players from all over,” said Davis.
The 2016 AHSAA All-State and Super All-State player for the Senators has verbally committed to accept athletic and academic scholarships to attend Western Kentucky University. She joined the Thunderbolts last season and played left and right field positions and started every game for the Bolts at the national tournament. In the nationals, the Thunderbolts posted a 4-2 record with wins over North California Shockers, WA Lady Hawks, Bandits Alvelo and SJ Sting. After falling into the loser’s bracket after their second game, the Bolts came back with three victories before losing to AS Richardson.
The 14-member Thunderbolts qualified for the nationals by posting high finishes in qualifying tournaments held in Chicago, Chattanooga, Virginia Beach and Atlanta. The trip to California was the last of what was a superb summer for the 5-foot-6, 150-pound Davis.
“We stayed at our hotel, which was just five minutes from Disneyland and about 15 minutes from the eight-field sports complex where we played,” said Davis. “Not only did we play a lot of softball, we took the time to visit many of the sites around the Los Angeles area including downtown L.A., Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive and many other places in the area.”
Making the trip with the teen was her father Scottie Davis. “It’s always fun to go with him as he’s a huge softball dad,” said Davis. “We traveled around the area in a rented car and soaked up all of what we could in the few days we were there. We did get a lost several times.”
As for what could be considered the weirdest experience incurred on the trip to the Pacific Ocean waterfront locale, Davis said squirrels and rabbits came onto the field several times. Those animals were only part of the fun. “Yeah, one time a skunk came onto the field. We had to stop play. It was funny because none of the animals seemed to be scared of us,” added Davis.
The super-talented Davis suffers from a rare disability causing her to catch and throw the softball with her left hand. Her condition is known as Erb’s palsy. In an upcoming feature, Davis will open up about her condition, which many people don’t notice until she hits the softball field.
