Day Goes D-1: Lynn Standout Athlete Will Play College Baseball at St.John’s University in NYC

Nick Day, who will play college baseball at St. John’s University in New York next year, is pictured with his parents, Tom and Leslie, outside their Lynn home.

Nick Day, who will play college baseball at St. John’s University in New York next year, is pictured with his parents, Tom and Leslie, outside their Lynn home.

Nick Day displayed his powerful hitting as a 12-year-old when he won the Lynn Little League Home Run Derby.

But Day was just rounding first in his baseball career. As a sophomore at St. Mary’s High School under the tutelage of coach Derek Dana, he was named the MVP of the Clancy Tournament after hitting two home runs in one game at Fraser Field and leading the Spartans to the championship.

Day transferred to Lawrence Academy in Groton where he continued to excel against strong Independent School League (ISL) competition. His speed (6.37 in the 60), hitting, and defensive skills impressed everyone at the elite East Cobb Baseball program in Georgia, putting him on the radar as a major college prospect.

Day has signed a letter of letter intent to attend St. John’s University in New York where he will play Division 1 college baseball in the Big East. He has received a significant athletic scholarship package.

“I’m really excited to be going to St. John’s and having the opportunity to play Division 1 college baseball,” said Day. “It’s always been a dream of mine.”

Day is having another sterling season at Lawrence Academy – who are also nicknamed the Spartans – as the starting centerfielder and third hitter in the lineup. A .400 hitter a year ago, Day is hitting for average and power (three home runs to date) and is stealing bases.

Lawrence Academy baseball coach Chris Margraf said Day, a 5-feet, 11 inch, 195-pound captain, has the entire skill set, beginning with the speed that set him apart as a star running back in the St. Mary’s football program.

“He’s very fast – when you run a 6.37 in the 60, you’re going to get attention,” said Margraf. “He’s a hard worker. As a bona fide two-sport athlete, Nick stands out. Baseball wise, he’s done a good job in centerfield for us and he hits No. 3. He has a lot of upside and having schools like URI, UMass/Amherst, UMass/Lowell, and St. John’s interested in him, it speaks to his abilities. St. John’s is getting a great kid and it’s going to be a great fit for him.”

Day and his St. John’s teammates will play a big-time schedule against teams such as Pepperdine (California), Notre Dame, Miami, and Boston College. One game that interests Day is a matchup against Stony Brook University that will be played at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. Among the Stony Brook players will be Kyle Devin, Lynn Classical’s highly touted catcher.

Day began his baseball career in traditional fashion, playing T-Ball in East Lynn Little League and then progressing through the ranks before becoming a Major Leaguer at the age of nine. There he played on his father Tom Day’s Yankee teams that won back-to-back Lynn City Series titles.

Nick Day said it was St. Mary’s coach Derek Dana, who had the vision to move him to centerfield.

“I had played infield my whole life and he decided to put me in centerfield,” recalled Day. “I didn’t really want to do that at first, but I did it for the team. It’s worked out for the best. Derek was the best coach I’ve ever had.”

Tom Day also credited Dana for his baseball intuitiveness. “Nobody believed he belonged out there but Derek thought it was the best spot for him and he was right,” said Day.

“I had a great experience at St. Mary’s and it was tough leaving St. Mary’s and all my friends,” said Nick Day. “We were also very successful in football. I had to make a tough decision.”

Nick, who has an older brother, Michael, 22,  thanked his parents, Tom and Leslie, for all their support from his T-Ball days on upward.

“They’ve always been there for me – they’re my No. 1 fans,” said Day.   “My dad taught me everything I know. My mother has always been there to cheer me on. They’re the best.”

Said Leslie, “We’re very, very proud of him.”

Tom Day added,  “He’s always tried to make me proud of him, but no matter what he does, I’m always going to be proud of him. Playing Division 1 baseball is icing on the cake.”

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