By Phil Wade
Executive Director, PBR Indiana

West Vigo High School 3B/RHP Davie Inman officially committed to Indiana State and Head Coach Mitch Hannahs late last week. Inman, ranked No. 51 in Indiana's 2015 class, was a participant in June's Top Prospect Games.

Inman is a 6-foot, 175 pound athlete with a strong, athletic frame and loves to compete.  Defensively he shows soft hands and quick feet with a strong, accurate arm across the diamond at 82 mph.  Offensively he possesses a quick bat with some pop, registering a 94 mph exit velo at the Top Prospect Games. On the mound he has been up to 86 with his fastball and throws a late breaking curveball at 72. 

PBR:  Ultimately, why did you choose Indiana State?

Inman:  Indiana State has one of the best programs around.  I really wanted to stay in the Midwest and close to my home town.  I have been around this program growing up, taking baseball lessons in the off-season, and playing in their fall league.  I have the utmost respect for the program and the coaches.  Even though I considered other colleges, my heart brought me back to Indiana State.

PBR:  Where did Indiana State first see you compete?

Inman:  As you may know, I am from the Terre Haute area therefore the coaches at Indiana State have seen a lot of me over the years.  The first time they actually saw me compete in a game was following my 7^th grade year.  I played with the high school players in the fall wood bat league that Indiana State puts on each year. 

PBR:  When did you take your first official visit?

Inman:  August 11, 2014

PBR:  What role do the coaches expect you to play when you first arrive on campus?

Inman:  I believe they expect me to come in and give it 150% and prove to them that I want a position on the field, not just on the roster.

PBR:  What other schools were you considering?

Inman:  I was very fortunate to have several interested schools.  I was strongly considering Wabash College due to their academic program.  Butler was another school that I was interested in.

PBR:  What were your expectations in regards to the whole recruiting process?

Inman:  I expected the recruiting process to start during my senior year of high school.  I was not aware that colleges were already recruiting for 2016 and 2017 during the 2014 summer season.  I thought picking a college would be an easy decision to make.  But then, when colleges start calling, emailing and talking to you at showcases, the decision gets more and more difficult to make.

PBR:  What team did you play for this summer and what was your experience like playing for them?

Inman:  Indiana Outlaws.  It was a really good experience.  We have kids from all over and were pretty competitive.  We spent the entire summer in front of numerous college coaches around the Midwest. 

PBR:  Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Inman:  My grandpa (Pop).  He has been coaching me since I was able to walk.  He would spend hours throwing balls to me in the back yard and teaching me how to be a tough baseball player.  Once I got into middle school I started working with Coach Steve Degroote, the West Vigo High School baseball coach.  He really helped fine tune my skills in the infield and most importantly taught me a lot life skills along the way.  The discipline that he instilled in me is something I will use the rest of my life.

PBR:  What were your stats last season at West Vigo?

Inman:  Batted .342, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs, 33 RBI’s (hitting in the first hole)

PBR:  Who is the toughest pitcher/hitter you’ve faced in Indiana?

Inman:  Reece Phillips a lefty from Edgewood in the 2013 class.

PBR:  Now that you’ve committed, what are your goals going forward as a HS baseball player?

Inman:  Anyone that knows me can vouch that I am extremely competitive.  I like to win and will go into my high school year with the same hunger I always do.  I want to win and play each and every game as if it were my last.  I have a great high school team and would love to see us go all the way to State this year.