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By Brian Pitts
Enterprise Record

Davie’s baseball team knocked off top-seeded West Forsyth in the CPC Tournament semifinals for one of its biggest wins in recent years, but the War Eagles turned ice cold after that, getting shutout in back-to-back games to end the season, including an 11-0 drubbing at the hands of Grimsley in Greensboro in the first round of the 4-A playoffs on May 6.
The 12th scoreless inning in a row brought an end to the Coy James phenomenon – arguably the most glorious Davie career for a position player.
After beating West Forsyth to extend its winning streak to eight, Davie was outscored 20-0 by Reagan and Grimsley.
“The thing about baseball is one day you can look great and the next day you can get beat,” coach Joey Anderson said.
Davie, the 29th seed in the West Region, missed an opportunity to rattle the No. 4 Whirlies in the top of the first inning.
James and Drew Krause opened the game with back-to-back singles, then both advanced on a passed ball. Alas, three straight batters struck out looking as Grimsley hurler Jacob Benbow got three punch outs in a span of 14 pitches.
Davie never had a chance after the first. Grimsley score one in the first, two in the second and three in the third. It kept its foot on the gas, scoring five more in its fourth and final at-bat.
“If we would have attacked first and punched them in the mouth, maybe it would have been different,” Anderson said. “We didn’t produce.”
James, Krause, Ty Sain and Brandon Forrest had Davie’s four hits against Grimsley’s senior pitcher. Benbow struck out eight. By contrast, the Whirlies blended 10 hits with seven walks and extended their winning streak to 11.
James hit .604 in his all-world senior season and broke numerous records along the way.
• The .604 average broke a 62-year-old record – Grimes Parker hit .589 in 1963. The five-man .500 club includes Michael McDaniel (.547 in 1989), Roger Pierce (.532 in 1963) and Corey Randall (.506 in 2012).
• James is the only Davie player ever to hit .400 three times in a career, and he did it four times. His season averages from 2022-24: .409, .451, .413.
• James’ 49 hits for the season shattered the record of 42 by Whit Merrifield in 2006 and Randall in 2012.
• Zach Howard (11 homers in 2007) did retain his single-season record for long balls. James hit nine this year.
• James’ 17 career homers edged out Matt Marion’s 16 from 1988-90.
• James scored 50 runs this year to destroy the old mark – 39 by Merrifield in 2006.
• James established new career records for hits (153) and runs (143).
James was a career .469 hitter (153 for 326) with 45 doubles, 12 triples, 69 RBIs and 79 walks/hit by pitches.
“Coy had an unbelievable season,” Anderson said. “It’s hard to continue being that successful for 28 games.”
Nine guys put on the Davie uniform for the final time, including Parker Davis, Carson Queen, Hunter Potts, Xander Shinsky, Krause, Tucker Hobbs, Kason Stewart and Corbin Angus. The 14-14 War Eagles showed their character by responding from their longest losing streak (five) in three years with their longest winning streak (eight) in six years.
“They should be proud of themselves,” Anderson said. “They put that run together (from April 12-29) and we made a run in the conference tournament.”
Notes: Grimsley (23-4) has only allowed 23 runs during its 11-game winning streak. … The CPC went 2-3 in the first round. West Forsyth won 4-3 in 10 innings over Ardrey Kell, and Reagan buried Hickory Ridge 10-0. On the flip side, Glenn lost 11-0 to Cuthbertson and East Forsyth lost 8-4 to Charlotte Catholic. … Davie’s individual stats will be published next week.