Junior left-handed pitcher Ryan Day has stepped up in the pitching rotation for Colorado Mesa University (CMU) this season.
Day grew up around the CMU baseball program as his dad and brother both were a part of the program. He knew that he wanted to be part of a program that has been successful for many years.
“My dad actually played here, as did my brother, he graduated in 2017. Just knowing that my family came here and had such a great experience with it. I kind of knew what to expect,” Day said.
The Prosper, Tex native, transferred after two years at Blinn Junior College. He saw the success that the Mavericks have had over the years and knew that was something he wanted to be a part of.
Day missed most of the shortened 2020 season due to injury. He was able to pitch two innings. In those two innings, he had two strikeouts, one hit and did not walk a batter.
The shortened season was kind of a blessing in disguise for Day. He explained that he did not have to take a medical redshirt for the season because of the shortened season.
“It was definitely tough. I mean, it kind of worked out. So I didn’t have to, because I wouldn’t have had to take a medical redshirt. So it was kind of nice. I didn’t have to lose a year for that,” Day said.
Day took the extended time off from baseball to focus on the recovery from his injury and to make sure that he was ready to come back for the 2021 season.
“I was injured, so I was doing rehab during the summer.Then I kind of just eased back into things because I didn’t want to be injured,” Day said.
Junior catcher Spencer Bramwell discussed how Day leads on the example on the pitching mound and by the way he performs on the mound.
“He is going to give us a chance to win a lot of games this year and I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops as a pitcher the rest of the season,” Bramwell said.
Day has made three appearances for CMU this season. Throughout those 13 innings he has given up 12 hits, four runs and has only walked five batters. He has also struck out 14.
Day was given the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) pitcher of the week recognition. He says that it is a good place to start and that is a good place to get better from.
“It kind of like I would much rather have that have been in a much more important game or something like that. But I think it’s a good place to start,” Day said.
Day wants to contribute to the success of the team as much as he possibly can and anyway he can.
“I’ve been feeling confident in my pitches and just confident out their in general. I just try to stay focused each and everyday to try to get better everyday,” Day said.
Day and the rest of the CMU baseball team continue to dominate in the RMAC as they head to Colorado Springs, Colo. to take on UCCS on March 19 at 3 p.m.
