The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1513610
W H E R E A R E T H E Y N O W ? BY TIM PEELER hile visiting NC State for work ear- lier this year, Renada Davis de- cided to go jogging, just as she used to do as a power-hitting shortstop some 10 years ago. L i ke eve ryo n e e l se , s h e marveled at all the changes happening between Western Boulevard and Hillsborough Street. New buildings. New traffic patterns. New running trails. One thing that hasn't changed at the intersection of Morrill Drive and Cates Avenue, however, is that Davis is the undisputed home run leader of Wolfpack softball. From 2012-15, the shortstop from Tomball, Texas, gave her team a pow- erful punch from the top of the lineup, helped the Pack win one of the two ACC titles in program history and led the team to three consecu- tive NCAA regional appearances. During her sophomore season of 2013, Davis was involved in one of the top home run races in NCAA softball history, going head-to-head-to-head with Oklahoma's Lauren Chamberlain and Longwood's Megan Baltzell. Hitting mostly from the leadoff position, Davis launched a school-record 26 home runs and en- tered the NCAA Southeast Region Champion- ship at Tennessee leading the nation. She did not hit a homer in the four postseason games. The Wolfpack advanced to the regional championship game, while Oklahoma went on to claim the national title. Chamberlain and Baltzell finished the season tied with 30 home runs, while Davis was third with 26. She fol- lowed with 19 as a junior and finished her career with a still-standing record total of 65. No other NC State player has amassed more than 50 career homers. A Remarkable Season Davis, the 2012 ACC Rookie of the Year and a four-time All-ACC selection, was always W RENADA DAVIS FICHTNER Davis Fichtner enjoyed a historic season for NC State in 2013, hitting 26 home runs to set a Wolfpack record. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS 48 ■ THE WOLFPACKER POWER SURGE Renada Davis Fichtner Was Part Of A Memorable Home Run Derby In 2013