PLYMOUTH – A pair of Plymouth’s Pilgrims have chosen to continue their academic and baseball careers close to home.
Plymouth seniors Caleb Mikesell and Braydon Davidson have announced their intentions to pursue both this coming season at Ancilla College as members of the Chargers baseball team. Both earned first team All-NLC honors this past season. Mikesell is a two-year starter – an infielder and outfielder who also spent time on the mound. Davidson spent four years on the Plymouth varsity as a fixture at third base and anchor to the Pilgrims pitching staff.
“They’ve given me more than I could have expected,” said Plymouth High School head baseball coach Ryan Wolfe. “It’s been a joy to coach them. With their work ethic and what they brought on the field and off. I know they are going to be successful at whatever they do. I’m happy that they get to continue to play the game I know they love. They deserve that.”
Davidson made his debut with the Pilgrims as a freshman and quickly cemented his spot with a solid bat, good hands at third base and a veteran savvy even as a freshman on the mound.
“The biggest growth I saw in him was maturity level and leadership,” said Wolfe. “He was a competitor from the beginning. Couple that with his athletic ability and it really made him the ultimate competitor and one of the toughest competitors that I’ve ever had on the mound in my 11 years.”
Mikesell made his impact early as a player who could play anywhere on the field with a “head first” kind of tenacity.
“When he came in (as a freshman) he might have weighed 110 pounds and I’ve used him as a point with younger players about what hard work and dedication does,” said Wolfe. “I saw it in him. I knew he had that kind of grit. He took it to heart to get stronger and his confidence grew. It’s been a pleasure to watch him grow for four years.”
Both have learned lessons in their time in the Plymouth program, watching it grow along with them.
“Seeing where we started in the program, we had no seniors and an under .500 record,” said Mikesell. “By the time we left, we were contending for sectional titles and winning an NLC title. It was a great feeling to have that all come together.”
“I’ve definitely gained mental toughness,” said Davidson. “The sports I’ve played – baseball, basketball and tennis – baseball really eats you up and you have to be mentally strong. If you’re .300-.400 hitter that’s great, but you’re failing six times out of 10. It’s a mental challenge even more than a physical challenge.”
“We were back-to-back years challenging for a sectional championship,” said Mikesell. “I want to be a part of that kind of thing at Ancilla too, just working to compete and be a part of something solid.”
“We’ve only got two years I know. but being a part of something that’s moving ahead and being competitive is where I want to be,” said Davidson. “Just compete and be a part of a winning mindset.”
