West Lauderdale’s Jeremy Davis commits to EMCC

Published 10:56 pm Friday, June 2, 2017

By Elton Hayes

ehayes@themeridianstar.com

West Lauderdale High School’s Jeremy Davis races toward home plate during a game this past season. Davis, a recent graduate, committed to play baseball at EMCC Friday.

West Lauderdale outfielder Jeremy Davis committed Friday to play collegiate baseball at East Mississippi Community College. Davis’ commitment comes one day after visiting the Scooba campus.

Davis said the program’s trajectory in recent years presented a perfect fit. In signing with East Mississippi, he joins fellow Knights John Ross Briggs and Luke Miller.

“I went on a visit (Thursday) and everything that the coaches said made me feel like they really wanted me,” Davis said. “These past few years, it has been looking like the program is on the right track, and the coaches are saying a lot of things that make me feel good about their future.”

Davis was 4A champion West Lauderdale’s starting right fielder last season. In Game 3 of the Knights’ championship series, he rifled in a run-preventing throw to home plate in the first inning to hold opponent Corinth’s lead to 2-0. Davis’ throw out at home was game-defining, as West Lauderdale would win 3-2. 

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“It was great to win a state championship under someone like Coach Boatner, who knows how it feels to be in certain situations,” Davis said.

East Mississippi went 25-20 last season under coach Chris Rose and appeared in the MACJC playoffs. In 2015, the Lions went 29-18 and reached the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament for the first time in 11 years. The Lions compiled a 32-13 record in 2014 and claimed the MACJC North Division title. 

Davis said he believes West Lauderdale’s rigorous practices under Boatner and West Lauderdale’s coaching staff have equipped him to handle the intensity of East Mississippi’s rising baseball program.

“A lot of things the coaches are saying about how things there are run really sound similar to how things are run at West Lauderdale,” Davis said. “I feel like I’m already on the right track.”

In 36 games last season, Davis batted .289, scored 28 runs and tallied 21 RBIs. He also swiped nine bases and belted seven doubles. 

Davis is the son of Amy and Chester Davis.

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