Nic Ready Beats Logan Davidson to Win 2018 College Baseball Home Run Derby

Air Force Falcons first baseman Nic Ready won the 2018 College Home Run Derby on Sunday night in Omaha, edging out Clemson Tigers shortstop Logan Davidson.

Ready beat Davidson 21-20 in the final. After time expired in the final round, Davidson had one swing with the money ball, which counted for two runs, to capture the win. He hit a fly ball just beyond third base to give Ready the title.

Davidson actually finished with more home runs overall—a record-setting 58. Ready wound up with 55 for the event as a whole. However, the scores reset heading into the final round, so Davidson's work up to that point didn't help him in the end.

Davidson is a switch-hitter, and his night changed dramatically when he moved to the left side of the plate. He immediately responded with six home runs in the opening round:

Davidson also competed in the 2017 Derby, bowing out after hitting 11 home runs in the first round. This time around, he got off to a far better start but seemed to run out of gas in the final. A late flurry was nearly enough for Davidson to catch Ready.

The money ball proved to be the difference. Ready hammered a pitch deep into the left-field seats after time expired to bring his total to 21:

The result was certainly far from an upset. Ready had established himself as an elite slugger in college baseball this season. He was tied for seventh in home runs (20) and was 10th in slugging percentage (.699).

Between his excellent season at the plate and Home Run Derby triumph, Ready has a great springboard for his senior campaign in 2019.