DAYTON - Lucas Day made a big impression at the Ohio Top Prospect games in June.

“Had himself a day!,” PBR Ohio Director of Scouting Jordan Chiero said after the event. “It started off with a laser show in BP, producing several barrels in the mid-to-upper-90s while depositing a few off the right-field wall. He then had three extra-base hits in-game, narrowly missing a bomb off the top of the wall. When he’s on, there are few better in the state.”

Oakland head coach Jordan Banfield took notice.

“After the high school season I put a video together with my highlights and stats and sent them to colleges,” Day noted. “After that coach Banfield came to watch me at the Top Prospect Games and said he’d love to have me on a visit.”

The fifth-ranked 2022 first baseman in Ohio liked what he saw.

“One of the first things is the campus is really nice, it’s smaller than most schools,” Day pointed out. “I really liked how honest and open the coaches were with me. They’re all on the same pace. It’s a new staff, in their second year, and I like the plans to change the culture.”

An offer followed and a week later Day made a commitment to the Horizon League school located three hours from his Dayton home.

“After thinking about it a week I felt it was the best fit for me,” the Troy Christian senior said.

The left-handed hitting Day will fit in well at the school in Rochester, Mich., in the eyes of the Oakland head coach.

“I had a really good day at the Top Prospect Games,” the 6-1 195-pounder related. “He said he was impressed with my power and plate discipline and the adjustments I made with two strikes. He sees me as a power guy, but he said the biggest difference from normal power guys and me is they try to hit home runs all the time and hit .200 to .250. He sees me with a higher average.”

The ability to show strength at the plate is nothing new for the 76th-ranked senior in the state.

“I’ve always had some power but I really started working out after eighth grade and started to see it,” Day said. “During COVID I didn’t take a day off and my power started rising even more.”

Schools in the Big 10, ACC and Horizon League along with some NAIA colleges showed interest in Day.

“It’s always been a dream of mine since I was young to play at the next level,” Day explained. “It hit me at the end of eighth grade when schools started reaching out and I knew then the potential I had if I worked at it.”

A trainer, Tramain Hall, has helped the cause.

“I go to him every single day before school and in the summer,’ Day related. “He trains a ton of D-I athletes, not just baseball but baseketball and other sports. It’s a cool environment.

“I also work every day hitting with my dad and brother, working on the two-strike approach and hitting backside.”

The 18-year-old credits others for being beneficial in his baseball journey.

“Bo Jackson Elite as an organization, especially coach (Tom) Schaffer,” Day said in reference to those that have helped. “The knowledge he has and the connections he has have been big.

“My high school coach, Tony Ferraro, has been on my side since my freshman year,” Day added. “And I’d also like to thank my family for giving me the opportunity and to showcase me.”

With a 4.3 GPA at Troy Christian and plans to major in business at college, Day believes he can be a major addition to the Oakland program.

“I’ll bring them my power and my work ethic,” Day said. “I’ll share my philosophy on the two-strike approach and share what I do. I’ll be very coachable and help everyone buy into the culture at Oakland.”

To finally be done with the recruiting process as senior year of high school begins is, admittedly, a comfort.

“This is really exciting, a dream come true for me,” Day concluded. “All the hard work and dedication,, to have it all come to this brings so much relief and excitement. I know what the future holds and what I have to do now.”