NEW CHAPEL HILL —- A long-anticipated morning finally arrived for Chapel Hill's Pat Day.
On Wednesday in the CHHS librarian, the Bulldogs senior signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Houston. The left-handed pitcher had been waiting for the ceremony since orally pledging with the Cougars in July.
CHHS officials said Day is the school's first NCAA Division I baseball signee in recent memory.
"I've been working on this since I was a little kid and it's always been my goal," Day said. "And now that it's finally here is really exciting. It feels really good."
Day picked Houston over the likes of Texas Tech, to which he originally pledged before decommitting and shifting his attention to Houston. The hard-thrower whose fastball reaches the mid-90s went 5-5 with a 2.24 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings last season.
Day, who recently competed at the showcase event Perfect Game WWBA World Championships in Florida, was impressed with Houston's facilities and coaching staff. The Cougars went 36-22 last season under third-year head coach Todd Whitting.
"It's a really young team," Day said. "It gives me a chance to go down there and really have a chance to compete and stuff."
Day, who's favorite Major League Player is Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw, is glad to have the recruiting process over with.
"It feels good because I get to focus on actually focus on playing," Day said. "Like when I was a little kid playing for fun not having to worry about competing for scouts and all that stuff. I just get to go out there and play my game."
Day has been working on his game since childhood.
"I fell in love with it when I was a little kid," Day said. "I've always had a thing for the game. That's what drives me to play and I love competition."
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Pat Day
School: Chapel Hill
Position: Pitcher
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
2012 Stats: 5-2, 2.24 ERA, 101 strikeouts, 46 1/3 innings
What are you listening to? Mike Stud, Pimp C, Biggie Smalls
Favorite movie: "Stepbrothers"
Favorite MLB team: Oakland A's
Favorite baseball player: Clayton Kershaw
Dream vacation: Greece
Dream car: Rolls Royce Phantom
Favorite subject: English
Hobbies: Fishing