BB: Day strong for Texas All-Stars during tourney
his trip in Oklahoma playing in the 16th Annual'Junior'Sunbelt Classic
baseball tournament. (Courtesy photo)
JayDon Day isn't satisfied with his 11-2 pitching record in 2012. He wants to get better for his senior run in 2013.
Day took advantage of the opportunity to play for the Texas All-Stars as they played six days of baseball against the best seniors-to-be from all across the country in the 16th Annual 'Junior' Sunbelt Classic baseball tournament.
After posting a stellar junior season with an ERA of 2.29, striking out 62 and only walking 14 in 73.1 innings and working six complete games, he felt like the opportunity to play with great players against the best this nation has offer would benefit him heading into his final season as a Bulldog.
"It went pretty well," Day said of his experience during the tourney. "We went 7-3 and finished in third place.
"I experienced a little bit of everything. Just the competition there was a great experience because I pretty much knew that everybody was going to be tough.
"I just went out there and did my best and felt it went pretty well. I just approached the games the same way I did during the season in the spring and it worked well."
Day pitched in four contests in the 10-team tourney that took place in McAlester and Wilburton, Oklahoma. He posted a 2-0 record and added a save. In the other contest he received a no-decision.
"One of the toughest things to get used to was the catcher, because I had never worked with him before," Day stated. "It took me about a game to get used to him, but once I did everything went really well.
"It was tough not having played or seen any of my teammates and then having to play together. We were supposed to have a practice at Texas Christian University before we went up to Oklahoma to play, but it rained and canceled it.
"At first playing together was kind of weird because you never know how someone else is going to play, but we all got along really well and after a first couple of days we were all comfortable playing with each other. I think that's one of the reasons we did so well as a team."
Day also noted that there were a number of college and pro scouts in attendance at games, which he was counting on.
"I knew this was a chance to be seen by scouts and that was one of the reasons I really wanted to play," he admitted. "They were there watching all the games and they wanted information on all the players, so hopefully that will help me get recruited next year."
Carthage is coming off a 28-5 season and Day will be counted on to lead the Bulldog pitching staff during his senior season.