Ashlyn “AJ” Davis Makes An Impact On Many Fields

Ashlyn "AJ" Davis has a diverse sports schedule that prevents any boredom or burnout from setting in. Outside of softball, Davis plays soccer and participates in track and field for Central High School in Denham Springs, Louisiana. She's been an all-district selection for each sport.

“It keeps me busy when I'm not in softball season, and I always want to be well-rounded,” said Davis, who is ranked No. 4 in Prep Softball's 2028 Top 150 ranking. “Soccer now helps with footwork and speed, and just keeps me in shape, and then track gives me something to do during the offseason. It helps me make sure that I don't slack off and that I'm working and doing stuff every day.”

Davis was exposed to sports from an early age. Her dad coaches football, baseball, and softball. Davis started out playing baseball before switching to softball at age 9.

“Where I'm from, it's really football or baseball. There's usually boys that get all the credit, so softball was something that you didn't really see people get credit for, and I was like, ‘Hey, maybe I can be a person that is one of the first from where I'm from to make it big,” Davis said. “It's just something I was good at, and just always wanted to do.”

Davis has played third base, shortstop, outfield, and pitcher. However, her favorite part of the game is hitting.

“My nickname is AJ Smooth, actually, and my dad always said that I made everything look easy, especially hitting. I just love it,” she said. “It's something I can just do all day. I am hard on myself. I always find something different or something new that I can improve on or learn.”

Davis grew up attending LSU softball camps, clinics, and games. One of her idols is former LSU All-American AJ Andrews. 

“She was a huge inspiration to me,” Davis said. “Obviously, we shared the same nickname. But she used to always take care of me and teach me. I would come see her at the games, and she would bring me on the field and we would play catch and talk. I thought the amazing catches she made were the coolest thing.”

Davis has a younger sister and younger brother and tries to be a good role model for them.

“I always wanted to be a ballpark sibling, so if I'm going out hitting or throwing, I always try to get them to come with me,” Davis said. “My sister plays volleyball and my brother's in football and baseball, so just practicing multiple sports with them helps me out. It's really about supporting them and what they do.”

Davis, who has a 4.7 GPA and is a member of the student council at Central, is already thinking about a future career beyond the softball field.

“I've always wanted to do something in the medical realm, like dentistry and becoming a doctor,” she said. “This upcoming school year, I'm taking dental assistant classes at school and then being an intern for the second semester. I'm looking forward to that and see if I'm interested in that.”

Given her athletic and career ambitions, Davis is hoping her college recruiting process leads to a place where she can accomplish all of her goals.

“I would ultimately like to go to a Power Four school and get a good education,” she said. “Being an All-American one day is probably my biggest dream, and just being an inspiration to little girls that pick up the sport. Being their favorite player and somebody to look up to is something that I would like to do.”