Aaron Davies is in this for the long haul but ready to think small.
He can pace himself or go 100%. UH-Hilo’s sophomore left-hander gears for any role: starter, middle reliever, even closer.
He’s prepared so well, in fact, he’s quickly made coach Kallen Miyataki abandon his original plan.
“I feel like I’ve honestly pitched the best this season in starts,” Davies said, “because when you start as a pitcher you get more comfortable on the mound.
“I think the toughest thing I’ve had in a few of my starts was my preparation, and how much I prepared myself for that outing.”
UHH (19-12, 8-10) plays its penultimate home series of the season Friday and Saturday in doubleheaders against Academy of Art (8-19, 2-10) at Wong Stadium, looking to get back on track after losing six of eight on the road.
The Vuls are second in the PacWest in batting (.290) and tied for second in runs (167) – they’ve played more game than everybody else – but coach Kallen Miyasaki said the lineup as a whole hasn’t clicked. At lease, not when it counts.
“If our hitting is supposed to be our strong point,” coach Kallen Miyataki said, “we’re not scoring enough runs. We’re not hitting when the runners on base. That’s what puts a lot of pressure on our pitching staff.”
The 6-foot-2 Davies, of Palos Verdes, Calif., has more than picked up his share of the load. With a 4-1 record and 3.96 ERA over seven appearances and five starts, he’s been one of the team’s primary workhorses, leading the way with 35 inning pitches.
That’s not necessarily the role Miyataki envisioned for Davies when the season started.
“Coming in I was planning on him relieving and being a part-time starter, but he’s doing very well.”
In what might have been a spot start at the time, Davies carved out a role with a seven-inning, three-hit shutout March 5 against Fresno Pacific in the Vulcans’ last home game.
“Personally, I love pitching at home,” Davies said. “I love having the home crowd behind be, that feeling of people rallying around me.”
He hung tough last Saturday at Biola, battling into the sixth and overcoming five walks. He struck out seven to get the win as UHH avoided a four-game sweep. The Vulcans’ road trip would have been a disaster if they hadn’t salvaged the final games of each of their series.
“We’re fighters, we’re a scrappy team,” Davies said. “We don’t like losing. When we get our butts kicked in a series, we’re always going to come back fighting.”
Miyataki plans to come at the Urban Knights with right-lefty combinations for 3:30 p.m. doubleheaders Friday and Saturday.
Left-hander Kyle Alcorn (1-1, 4.22 ERA) is slated to start Friday’s nightcap, while Davies will draw the second assignment Saturday. James Yamasaki (1-3, 5.40) likely will start the series opener, but if not he’ll switch placed with Christian Dejesus (1-3, 6.75) and go in the early game Saturday.
Although Friday could be an off day for Davies, he’s preparing for anything.
“Coach tells me to be ready in the bullpen if needed, so no matter what I’m ready to go,” he said.