Diamond Sparkles Episode 10 ~ Ashlyn “AJ” Davis ~ Central – BR Lady Wildcats
Over a year remains before Ashlyn Davis can receive her first scholarship offer for college softball, but NCAA coaches are well aware of the Central-BR rising sophomore.
A Who’s Who of coaches from elite programs are expected to pounce on an opportunity to officially recruit Davis, who goes by “AJ,” on the first day she’ll be able to receive an offer: September 1 of her junior year.
“She’ll play for a Power 4 program,” said Chris Savant, who has coached Davis’ travel team for three years. “Probably for a team that competes for the World Series. I think that highly of her and her ability.”
Savant knows talent. His daughter Kylee, a University of Houston catcher signee, was named LSWA Class 3A Outstanding Player after helping Doyle High School win the Division III nonselect championship this year.
“Man, I’ve been getting calls from SEC schools about AJ,” Savant said. “She’s a generational talent.”
This summer, Davis hit .567 with a .700 on-base percentage, six home runs and 16 stolen bases for Louisiana Unity Savant 16-U. She collected 25 walks while helping her team, which won 11 of its final 12 games, to a 22-11 record.
“I had 75 kids show up to tryout three years ago, when we formed the team,” Savant said. “I knew of AJ from my younger daughter (Allie). She had great potential. She was different. There is something special about her.”
Louisiana Unity won its final two events of the summer, the Gulf Coast Showcase and the Capital City Showcase. Davis went 3-for-3 with five RBIs and two homers in a 12-5 win over the Gulf Coast Shockers.
“She hit a ball probably 250 feet,” Savant said. “Defensively, she made some backhand plays on the run at third base. She’s a well-built kid who moves really well and isn’t even close to reaching her ceiling. I’m excited to be around it.”
Rare Freshman Starter on the LHSAA Class 5A Level
Davis was the only freshman starter for Central High, which went 21-8 and reached the second round of the Division I nonselect playoffs (lost to state runner-up Dutchtown).
After dropping six of its first nine games, Central won 18 of 19 before the regional playoff loss. The Wildcats went undefeated in league play with Davis making first team all-district (4-5A) as a pitcher.
“It is pretty rare to have a freshman starting in Class 5A,” said Central coach Michelle Efferson. who has been at the school for more than two decades. “She did exactly what I expected. I watched her play in middle school.”
Davis, who primarily played left field when she wasn’t pitching, hit for a .437 average (.551 on-base percentage) with 31 walks and nine home runs. She is expected to move to third base as a sophomore and is ranked as the No. 32 player in the country and No. 2 infielder.
“I just want to help the team win,” said Davis, who relishes the moments when she’s in the circle. “It’s fun to have the game in your hands.
“100% All Day Long”
Davis combines freakish athletic ability – she squats nearly 300 lbs. – with a top-notch work ethic. She also lettered in soccer.
“Playing soccer has done wonders for her footwork,” Savant said. “Not only that, with her it’s 100% all day long. She’s going to give you 100% whether it’s in the batting cages or taking ground balls in the infield. Everything is 100%. It’s fun to watch her. Every time you see her, she’s gotten better.”
The Davis family may have to obtain a larger mailbox to accommodate the increasing volume of materials sent from college coaches. LSU and Oklahoma send frequent letters. The Tigers invited her to their Elite 50 camp set for later this year.
“She fell in love with the players and coaches at LSU,” said her father, Jacoby Davis, who brought AJ to games where she would get autographs from her favorite Tigers.
Davis, who is interested in pursuing a career as a dentist, has a 4.7 GPA. She visited Duke and is receiving mail from academic powerhouses Yale and Stanford.
“I’m pretty hard on her,” Savant said. “I’m an old school coach. I demand a lot from players and push them to the limits. When we have one-on-one talks and I see she may be a little down, I reinforce that she’s got (that ‘it’ factor).”
Early Signs of Greatness
Before high school, AJ and her dad took advantage of an open-door policy at the Central softball complex where she would put on informal hitting displays that got Efferson’s attention.
“Her dad has been very instrumental in her development,” said Efferson, who hired Jacoby as an assistant coach. “He drives her to showcases and camps all over. He’s committed.”
During her freshman season, Davis hit a home run against a Southside squad that went to the 2024 state tournament. She also pitched the final two innings of a playoff win over Thibodaux. Those moments stood out to her as particularly memorable.
“I work at my craft and try not to play the comparison game,” she said. “Trying to stay grounded. I like watching film of myself and analyzing it.”
LSU assistant coach Bryce Neal compared Davis to Tori Edwards, who had a phenomenal freshman season at first base.
“That was big,” said Davis, who can be full of surprises.
At a Central practice, Davis asked her coach to watch as she took a couple of left-handed swings. Though she’s not known as a switch hitter, Davis sent consecutive pitches over the fence.
“We may have a little fun and let her do it in a game,” Efferson said. “She lives in the weight room and is the strongest kid on campus. AJ will do anything for the team. She says, ‘Coach, put me anywhere you want, and I’ll do my best.'”
Follow AJ on X here: AJ Davis
Diamond Sparkles is a year-round column that tells the stories behind the stories of the Pelican State’s softball players. If you have someone that would make a great story, send us an email to info@446sports.com
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