His game has never been better, one calculated pitch at a time.

Donald Davis continues to post career-best numbers as one of the country’s most consistent and successful horseshoe throwers.

The 49-year-old fleet mechanic from Auburn recently captured his third consecutive Washington State Horseshoe Pitching Association men’s championship title. The crown follows an unprecedented ninth-place finish at the World Horseshoe Tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

He has participated on the world stage three other times, finishing a then-career-high 24th at the 2007 tournament in Ardmore, Okla.

“It feels good,” said Davis, a two-time state Horseshoe Pitcher of the Year, who routinely finishes in the top 100 nationally for the men’s 40-foot class by percentage of stakes hit. “I’m throwing, probably in some cases, better than I thought I could.

“It’s a combination of things.”

Namely, facing stiff competition and keeping mentally sharp with regular practice. Davis, known for his fluid style, continues to work hard at his passionate sport of choice.

At Iowa, Davis held up against an elite field, throwing nearly 2,000 ‘shoes over a five-day span.

For every 100 pitches, Davis places an average of 63 or 64 ‘shoes around the stake for “ringers.” Top pitchers regularly throw 60 percent or better.

Davis tosses between 300 and 500 ‘shoes a day in practice. He patterns his game after the influential person who introduced him to the sport many years ago. Davis’ great uncle, the late Ed Fishel, was a two-time state champion and a legendary personality in the sport.

Davis employs a similar grip, release and methodical delivery, a high toss of the same dead-soft steel ’shoe his classy uncle threw to prominence in the late 1950s and early ’60s. The ’shoe rotates for one turn and a quarter before landing open-face first when it strikes the stake.

In 38 sanctioned and selected tournaments this year, Davis won a majority if them.

But Davis keeps his performance in proper perspective. The competition will be tougher next year, especially when the formidable Matt Fuller, a junior national champion, steps up to throw in the men’s open class.

“I’m getting better … I’m probably understanding many things better,” Davis said of his approach. “But we have a lot of guys improving. Many of them are throwing in the 70- and 80-percent range. … It’s exciting to be a part of that.”

As Davis often reminds himself, “To be the best, you play against the best pitchers.”