Mesquite baseball coach Jeff Holland has dabbled more in freshman varsity players than most of his counterparts. It takes a special mix of ingredients to trust a freshman with a significant varsity role, but in 2011 senior Zach Davies there are no regrets from either coach or player for Davies' four-year stint with the big club.

"We've had a lot of kids who could have played varsity from the start as a freshman," Holland said. "A few have. But you have to factor in a lot of things. In Zach's case he was very mature for his age in ability and knowing the game. I felt he could handle all the things that come with that. He did and he did it very well."

Davies, who signed to play at ASU in November,  has toiled as a middle infielder, a reliever and a starter. Mesquite is one of the top contenders this year for the 5A-I title and Davies is a big part of that. He starts at shortstop, is now the ace of the staff and bats leadoff. Plenty of responsibility that he handles matter-of-factly and with ease.

The numbers he's posted over the years are not gawdy, but steady. That's the game he's concentrated on since knowing he would start as a freshman in the 2008 season.

"That year was fun," Davies said. "I talked to my dad about having the chance to play varsity that first year. He said go show what you can do. If it happens, it happens. You'll still have a lot of years I wasn't overconfident when In found out I was going to be on varsity, but I wasn't scared either."

Having an infield teammate and senior Ty Forney, who other than six or eight games in his career played varsity from his freshman year on, helped Davies on his road.

"We talked a lot," Davies said. "It can be awkward. A freshman playing with juniors and seniors. Most of all you try to show you belong with your game and stay quiet. I didn't feel like there was jealoousy toward me. We had nine seniors on that team. They didn't treat me bad other than the initiation of just being a freshman."

Davies batted .319, played solid defense and added a 3.45 earned-run average with three saves in 2008. The Wildcats reached the title game that year, bowing to Hamilton in the final. Holland was impressed with Davies'  freshman campaign. Never doubted Davies belonged.

"The things you think about are how will they handle the pressure of playing every day and if it happens, jealousy from other players," Holland said. "You watch that.

"I remember when I brought up Ty at the spring break tournament when he was a freshman. The first ball hit to him went through his legs. I'm thinking to myself I must look like an idiot. The next inning he made a play that only he could make. It took a few games, but people saw he could play. The decision to play a freshman (on varsity) is not easy."

Davies enjoyed his best season as a hitter as a sophomore, batting .407. He struggled in his first full year as a starting pitcher that year with an ERA just over 5.00. Last season he led a 28-7 semfinal team with a 9-1 record and 1.58 ERA. So far in 2011 he's 2-0 with a 2.15 ERA and batting .346.

On Monday in the Mesquite-Gilbert spring break tournament, Davies didn't have a hit. He had one official at-bat hitting leadoff. He lined out to short, drew two walks and delivered a sacrifice fly. The Wildcats rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the first inning and posted a 12-11 win to run their record to 9-1. Davies served as the closer getting a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh, with the help of two plays by his middle infield and a three-pitch strikeout of Basha leadoff hitter Jamie Westbrook, who delivered two homers earlier in the game.

"I've probably had a half dozen players play varsity at least part of their freshman year," Holland said. "Davies is the one I felt most comfortable with because of all the factors. He's always known how to handle himself, he knows the game adn he's had the ability. That's when it's a no-brainer."