July 1, 2009
By Lauren Malone, special to TarHeelBlue.com
HARWICH, Mass. - The green baseball diamonds on Cape Cod are full of green talent this season.
Levi Michael and Garrett Davis - both Harwich Mariners and college teammates, are just two of the hundreds of players that are here to sharpen their skills.
The UNC Tar Heels are fresh-faced and ready to play.
After all, as freshman they made it to the College World Series in Omaha - and are use to the tough competition and media buzz.
Despite UNC's crushing 12-5 loss against Arizona State during the sell out crowd of 25,000 in Nebraska... it made Michael and Davis hungrier to win.
"After our school's season was over, we headed to the Cape. Our coach gave us tips on what we need to work on up here," Michael said. "I have to steal more bases, and improve on hitting with two strikes."
Davis who recently had "Tommy John" surgery is happy to be back on the field. He was invited to be here last summer, but his elbow trouble prevented the trip.
"In a summer league, we are trying to sharpen our tools and get ready for next year at school. But we are dedicated to this team now and want to win."
The transition from North Carolina to the quaint seaside towns on the Cape hasn't been that rough.
Davis and Michael admit that this is their first time living with a host family, and although it's different, they're fitting in.
"It's been fun so far," Davis said. "It's definitely different especially when you are use to your college catering to you..... but the coaches and players are laid back and that's what it's suppose to be like in the summer time."
As the temperatures heat up, so have the Mariners. Although they are not dominating the league yet, Michael says the team's cohesiveness is starting to grow.
"It's all about the chemistry, and the players get along," Michael said.
The Mariners have one common goal... and that's to win.
"We all love to play baseball so it's easy to mesh in well here," Davis said.
As for defending the 2008 CCBL championship?
"We always have a chance," Davis said. "We have a great group of guys.
Everyone in this league is a challenge... but once we get a streak going we'll be fine."
And in their thick, polite southern accents, both Michael and Davis said they are honored and excited to be apart of the most prestigious league in the country.
"Hopefully we'll have a good season!" Davis said.
