SPIKES NOTES

Steeler stars at Spikes' game

By Guy Cipriano

UNIVERSITY PARK — Carey Davis walked around as a conflicted man Sunday night.

CDT/Melissa Doss

Steelers running back Carey Davis threw the first pitch of the State College Spikes game and also gave autographs to fans. He is pictured signing the shirt of Garrett Gess, 4, of State College, while his brother Ryan Gess, 9, top left, watches on Sunday, June 21, 2009. CDT/Melissa Doss

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• All business

He plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He once played for one of Penn State's Big Ten rivals.

Either way, the fullback enjoyed his memory- sparking appearance as a guest celebrity during Sunday’s State College Spikes game against the Williamsport Crosscutters.

Davis played for Illinois from 1999-2003, a career that included multiple trips to Beaver Stadium for one-sided games.

“It was wild and crazy,” he said. “It was a good atmosphere to play in. We didn’t have success here. We had some success out at our place. I think one game out here Larry Johnson rushed for like 280 yards in 2002. It was pretty bad that year.”

Davis now finds himself on the other side of lopsided games, something evident by the coveted piece of jewelry he didn’t bring to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Davis started his professional career toiling on practice squads, but his life started to change when he signed with the Steelers on Jan. 3, 2007.

His life changed again when the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in this year’s Super Bowl.

“It’s just been amazing being able to meet with the fans and everywhere you go everybody wants to see the ring and be a part of what we accomplished,” he said during Sunday’s first inning.

One thing that hasn’t changed is Davis’ allegiance to his alma mater. In fact, he likes Illinois’ chances against Penn State when the teams meet Oct. 3 in Champaign, Ill.

“I’m going to go with Illinois,” he said. “I went to their spring game, and I’m looking forward to seeing what those guys can do this year. I kind of got on them a little bit for the season they had last year.

“I think they took a little bit of a break after the Rose Bowl. I think they are going to come out this year, be prepared and play well.”

Davis said he will spend the next six weeks preparing for training camp. The Steelers report to Latrobe on July 31. They will tote rings and high expectations into this season.

“We don’t look at it like we have to try to repeat,” Davis said. “We are trying to win a world championship like everybody else is. That’s our goal. We don’t want to say we are repeating because it’s a new season. It’s a new team. We have different players, new guys and guys have left.”

Davis threw out Sunday’s first pitch to Justin Byler before signing autographs during the middle innings. He said he can relate to what members of the Spikes are experiencing.

“I love baseball,” he said. “I kind of know what these guys are going through, being in the lower minor leagues and things like that. I was on the practice squad. That’s pretty much the same thing. You’re grinding to get to the big stage.”

Spikes add three ’09 picks

Infielder Brock Holt (ninth round, Rice), first baseman Aaron Baker (11th, Oklahoma) and pitcher Teddy Fallon (39th, South Carolina Upstate) have joined the Spikes. No member of the trio has been added to the active roster, although Holt participated in pregame drills Sunday.

Holt and Baker could add power to the Spikes’ offense. Holt belted 12 homers for Rice while Baker homered 15 times for Oklahoma this past spring.

McPherson returns

The Spikes received right-handed pitcher Kyle

McPherson from full-season West Virginia. McPherson, who spent 2008 and part of ’07 with the Spikes, will start tonight at Mahoning Valley.

McPherson went 4-2 with a 4.94 ERA in 13 appearances for the Power.

Mike Felix, a 2006 second-round pick and ’07 Spike, will start Tuesday against the Scrappers. Felix allowed eight hits, eight earned runs and nine walks in 91/ 3 innings with High-A Lynchburg in

April. Felix has not pitched since April 25.

On the road

The Spikes’ first road trip is one of their longest as they play three at Mahoning Valley before heading to Auburn for three. They return home next Sunday to face Mahoning Valley.

The team’s longest road trip is from Aug. 31-Sept. 6 when it plays two at Batavia, three at Williamsport and two at Mahoning Valley. The Spikes also have a six-game trip from Aug. 22-27.