Two Gaston College newcomers begin fall drills after historic American Legion tournament run

Gaston College has recruited standout players near and far since becoming one of the country's top junior college baseball programs in the country.

This fall, two of the top newcomers are coming in after starring in nearby locales during Asheville Post 70's historic American Legion World Series run.

Catcher Evan Conner and first baseman Caden Davidson were top hitters for Post 70 as it won its first Area IV title in its history, then won its first state title since 1929 during the state tournament in Cherryville, its first Southeastern Regional in history in Asheboro and made a fifth-place finish in its first ALWS appearance in Shelby.

Conner, a recent graduate of Tuscola High School in Waynesville, called pitches for a dominating pitching staff while hitting .514 in the regular season and .300 in 13 postseason games.

Caden Davidson, a recent graduate of T.C. Roberson High School in Skyland where he was a three-time N.C. Class 4A high school champion, led Area IV in regular season hitting with a .568 batting average then hit .452 with 16 RBIs in 13 postseason games.

Conner was the first to commit to coach Shohn Doty's program after being recruited by Rhinos' assistant coach Jacob Rand.

"I checked it out and love everything about the place," Conner said of Gaston College. "Their recent success is tremendous. If you've ever been to their field, they've got the wall with all the names of the guys who have gone on to bigger places.
"So I know they can get me to where I want to be."

As the younger brother of former Atlanta Braves first-round pick and Gastonia Atlantic League of Professional Baseball League player Braxton Davidson, Caden Davidson had some idea about how the recruiting process works. His brother was a standout outfielder who forsook a college scholarship offer from the University of North Carolina after being a first-round pick of the Braves in 2014.

"I had some other options like some D1 schools," Caden Davidson said. "But I didn't feel they were 100 percent in on me and I felt Gaston was percent in with me and my abilities.
"I'm excited to come to Gaston College. They've had a great squad and I'm looking forward to coming in to add to what was already there. I think we're going to be really good."