Jace Davidson got a small taste of college baseball last year before COVID-19 ended the season.

Now, the former Pocahontas Area multi-sport all-stater is set to help anchor the Iowa Central pitching rotation this spring. 

Davidson has made two starts for the 20th-ranked Tritons, going 1-1 with five strikeouts in eight innings pitched with a 3.38 earned run average. Last year, he logged six innings with five strikeouts and just one hit allowed in three appearances.

"It feels great finally getting back after it with my teammates after basically a year off," Davidson said. "It just shows you can't take anything for granted."

Iowa Central has reeled off six consecutive wins, including a four-game sweep over Bryant & Stratton in which Davidson, Easton Dermody, Devon Schewe and John Klein combined for 33 strikeouts with just 12 hits allowed and three earned runs.

During the extended time between seasons, Davidson worked on continuing to develop himself as a college athlete. 

"Getting bigger, stronger and more explosive while trying to get more consistent with my command as a pitcher," he said. "I feel like those are still things I keep improving on, which helps me become more successful."

Iowa Central has a handful of games left before jumping into what will be a packed ICCAC slate featuring many stretches of six games within a seven-day span.

"I feel like my role is still the same for me (compared to last year)," Davidson said. "Try to execute the pitch to the best of my ability and continue to get outs. Coach (David) Flattery has really emphasized being yourself on the mound and do what makes you successful both mentally and physically.

"I just try to compete my butt off for my teammates every single time I'm on the mound in trying to get that 'W.'"

-By Dana Becker