Barrington's Day catches on with Evansville

Johnny Day is smart enough to realize his days as a baseball player won't last forever.

So, the Barrington senior outfielder who scored 32 on the ACT looked beyond baseball when he made a verbal commitment to accept a Division I scholarship to Evansville.

"My mom (Ellen) really stressed finding the right school for me," said Day, who joked he'd study anything but math. "She asked me, 'If you broke your arm and never played baseball again, would you want to stay?' I could see myself there as just a student.

"I knew I wanted a small school with great academics - so after graduation I didn't just play four years of baseball and I didn't have a degree that didn't mean anything."

The strong-armed, left-handed hitting Day has been Barrington's leadoff man and center fielder since his sophomore year.

But Evansville is interested in Day as a catcher, where he played through his freshman year. He has also caught pitchers who take lessons from Prairie Ridge head coach and former Palatine and Fremd assistant Dave Haskins.

"I love the outfield, but it will be nice to be back in the center of attention," Day said. "I like being in the center of things."

Day said his speed would probably inhibit him from being a Division I outfielder. He said he isn't sure if he'll be playing center field or catcher for a Barrington team that has solid returning pitching led by Sean Buchholz, Tom Unak and Robby McDonnell.

"Whatever coach (Jim) Hawrysko wants me to do is fine with me," Day said. "I'm really excited for this season."

And Day is excited about playing in the rugged Missouri Valley Conference. Evansville has a new head coach in Wes Carroll, the brother of big-league infielder Jamey Carroll, after going 14-42 last year. But in 2006 Evansville went 43-22 and made the NCAA tournament.

"It's a young and enthusiastic coaching staff and you could tell they're really passionate for the game," Day said.

Broncos football commitments: All-area running back Sam Ojuri has made a verbal commitment to play at North Dakota State University, which is a Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) school.

Defensive back Jason Taylor (Colgate) and linebacker Jason Bromm (Bemidji State) have also made commitments recently. All-area offensive lineman Gus Handler committed to Colorado in December and linebacker Alex Smith committed to Central Michigan during the season.