While Andrew David was one of the area’s top baseball players during the spring season, he didn’t let his athletic talents be the only factor on where to attend college.
“My mom and I made a list of schools with good archaeology programs, which is what I plan to major in at college,” David said. “We narrowed our list down to five or six schools and Tufts was the one that stood out the most to me.”
David, a 2012 Pacific High School graduate and the Four Rivers Conference baseball player of the year during his senior season, will continue his educational and baseball career at Tufts University.
Nicknamed the Elephants, Tufts is an NCAA Division III school located in Medford, Mass., near Boston.
David has no family or friends in the Boston area, but is looking forward to the experience.
“I’m excited, but it’s going to be very cold at times,” David said. “I’ve visited the school twice. I really like it. I think there are a lot of good opportunities for me there. It’s not a big school, but it’s not small, either.”
Education comes first for David, who scored a 32 on his ACT.
But what about the baseball program at Tufts?
“They’ve been in the top 25 in Division III for the last three years,” said David, who also played goalie for the Pacific soccer team. “Their field is very nice. The coach and everyone else in the baseball program I met were nice to me during my visit.”
David, a second-team Class 4 all-state selection by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, had quite a senior season.
On the mound, the tall right-hander had a record of 6-0 with a 0.88 earned-run average. In 40 innings, he allowed six runs, five earned, on 24 hits with eight walks and 40 strikeouts.
At the plate, David posted a batting average of .500 (24-48) with one home run, 20 walks, 19 RBIs and 15 runs scored. He had an on-base percentage of .652.
The Indians went unbeaten in the Four Rivers Conference both seasons David was on the varsity team.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in the weight room over the last two years and it’s paid off,” said David, a two-year varsity baseball player at Pacific.
David will go to Tufts as a pitcher, but could play a little first base.
“Tufts doesn’t know what they’re getting,” said Pacific Head Baseball Coach Jeff Reed. “Andrew is going to do very well, both on and off the field. He could be a nice two-way guy for the baseball team.”
Reed said that David was an ideal player to coach.
“Andrew was the hardest worker we had on the team. We really stressed getting in the weight room and that’s exactly what he did over the last two years,” Reed said. “He played summer ball, got lessons and always looked for ways to improve his game. He deserves everything he’s gotten.”
David throws a fastball, curveball and changeup.
“On a good day, I can get my fastball to about 86 or 87 (miles per hour),” David said. “I need to work on my curveball a little more, especially for the college game.”
David played this summer for the Rawlings Tigers.
“Andrew did it all for us, whether he was pitching, hitting or playing first base. We didn’t lose many games with him in the lineup,” Reed said. “He’s a bright kid who really got after it to make himself a better player. He’s a great role model for younger kids.”
Andrew is the son of Jeff and Annette David.
