Commitment Q&A: Dayne Wray

OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Wray: I really didn’t have any assumptions about the recruiting process other than that it was kind of about getting lucky. In the sense that you had to have a good game in front of scout that may or may not be there. I was looking for a program that really wanted me. The coaching staff was also a big factor in making my decision.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Wray: Distance from home did play a factor. It was really the only negative thing about the college I chose to commit too, but I think that the things ULM offered was worth leaving.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

Wray: The recruiting process started after the Magnolia State games (Summer 2023). With a couple JUCO’s reaching out. But it didn’t really get hot until after the Future Games. ULM first saw me at the Future Games and loved me enough within those few days to give me a scholarship.

PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Wray: What I like the most about the school I committed to was the coaching staff and the field. The coaches were very down to earth people who believed in working hard and the all turf field is amazing for infielders like myself.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Wray: South Alabama, UAB, and Pearl River

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

Wray: Konnor Griffin (LSU Signee) in travel ball when I was younger. He was one of the best hitters I’ve ever seen especially on low pitches. Because he was so tall everybody would try and pitch down to him but that seemed to be his favorite pitch to hit.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Wray: I was serious about taking my game to next level every since I started travel baseball, but I started believing I was a college caliber player in 9th grade summer. I was making big jumps in the box and hit over .400 for the whole summer using only a wood bat.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Wray: I would tell them that baseball constantly has ups and down. One game or weekend does not define you as a player and the biggest thing is to stay consistent and work on weaknesses every year. I would also say travel baseball is not all it’s cracked up to be and that if you need to take a year off to focus on physically developing you could be in a better place in the end than those that just focused on travel.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Wray: My most memorable moment as a baseball player is probably playing all over the field and going 4-7 at the Future Games with hundreds of scouts watching.

PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

Wray: Our team is an offense first team. We don’t have very many plus arms, so for us to win we are going to have to out hit our opponents.