Davis Mikell pulling double duty for Castleton in his native Vermont

Vermont native Davis Mikell transferred to Castleton from Div. 2 power Southern New Hampshire. (Castleton Athletics)

Life can be tough for New England’s Division 3 baseball players early in the spring. Many teams don’t get the opportunity to take the field and see a live fly ball or grounder until making their season-opening trips south and west in February and March.

Hailing from the western half of Vermont, the Spartans of Castleton University are no different. Fortunately, though, they have had Davis Mikell leading the way.

“He’s basically been carrying us,” Castleton head coach Ted Shipley said of the junior first baseman and pitcher from Williston, Vt. “Historically, we tend to struggle a little bit during that first stretch of the season, so we’re fortunate to have gotten productivity out of someone right away.

"A lot of our other guys struggled a bit, so he kind of balances things out and gives us a chance in each game.”