The Wolfpacker

MAY 2014 ■ 67 ranked ninth in the ACC, and 16 homers, which was tied for second in the league and 12th nationally. "They're kind of meshing together and I'm becoming smarter at the plate," she said. "I know I'm not going to get as many pitches to hit as I did last year, so when they do come, I try to take advantage of them." She's also on pace for a career high in walks. "I don't want to walk if I don't have to, but you have to take what they throw you," she said. "It's about my team and winning the game, I have to do what my team needs me to do." "She has been pretty resilient," the coach added. "She is starting to understand how teams are going to pitch to her and be care- ful with her so she has to know when she's going to have her opportunities or when she is going to have to take walks." At the end of April, Davis' 2014 bat- ting average and slugging percentage (.769) would break her own school records, while her on-base percentage (.448) would be just .002 shy of her record. She holds the top career mark in each category as well, and with not quite three years in the books, Davis already ranks among the top 10 in program annals for almost every offensive category. She ranks second in runs scored (120) and home runs (47), fourth in total bases (336) and RBI (106), and fifth in doubles (28) and stolen bases (13). Despite the lofty standings, Rychcik said the thought of Davis resting on her laurels never crosses his mind. She is the first to say that she has yet to accomplish every- thing she set out to do in Raleigh when she left Tomball, Texas — being named an All-American was the goal from day one — plus there is a title to defend in the always-tough ACC. "Right now, it's about playing, enjoying the game, getting better and winning," she said. "I want to work toward being an All- American while helping my team grow and win. We want to go further in the postsea- son, and every year we have gotten better and better. I want the team to go as far as we can." ■ "I've been playing softball since I was 4 years old. It's my life, so taking days off isn't an option because that's another day that somebody is getting better than me." ■ Renada Davis 66-67.Softball.indd 67 4/29/14 12:33 PM

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