CRESTVIEW — Davis Champion will have the opportunity to continue his baseball career once his senior season ends in May.
The Bulldog pitcher took the first step into his future Monday when he signed a scholarship to play for Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton, Ala. Champion was joined by classmate Roman Donofro, who also signed with the Warhawks on Monday.
Champion, son of Bob and Teresa Champion, said the close proximity of Brewton to Crestview played a role in his decision to sign with the Warhawks.
"It's close to home," he said. "I'm a mama's boy and I definitely wanted to stay close to home."
Davis said his desire to play college ball was sparked as he watched teammates from last year's Bulldog squad sign to play at junior colleges and four-year schools,
"Last year when everybody signed, I had a vision that I wanted to be up there on the stage with them and I wanted to have my time," he said. "So this summer, I spent every day throwing long toss. Me and Roman spent tireless hours on the baseball field and I feel like we are well prepared going up to junior college next year."
Jefferson Davis assistant coach Adam Reed, who works the Warhawk pitchers, signed Champion and Donofro.
It was hard not to like what Champion, who stands about 6-foot-3, brings to the mound, Reed said.
"When you look at Davis, the first thing you see is the size," Reed said. "When he gets into the program and he continues to develop with hard work and his work ethic, it will go a long way.
"I think we can push that even higher than his potential is now. He's got a high ceiling as far as development."
Bulldog coach Tim Gillis has watched Champion develop into a quality pitcher that can get the job done. Champion and Donofro are good players with good heads on their shoulders, Gillis said.
"Davis has worked extremely hard and his velocity has increased quite a bit," Gillis said. "His mechanics have always been pretty sound. He's got those skills where he can make quick adjustments.
"He's a very good student of the game and I think he's only going to get better and better."
Randy Dickson is the Crestview News Bulletin’s sports editor. Email him at randyd@crestviewbulletin.com, tweet him @BigRandle, or call 682-6524
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Warhawks like Champion's upside