WORCESTER, Ma. - DJ Prampin has never been to the state of Ohio. That will soon change after the Doherty Memorial senior made a college commitment to the University of Dayton.

“The closest I’ve been is New York,” noted Prampin, whose current home in Worcester is 12 hours away from his future home in southwest Ohio. “It’s going to be different than Massachusetts, but I’m really pumped for it.”

A coaching connection helped Prampin initially hook up with the Atlantic 10 Conference school.

“My coach is good friends with coach King,” Prampin said in reference to Dayton head mentor Jayson King. “They coached with each other at Franklin Pierce. They talked about me and one thing led to another.”

Eventually, an offer came with a commitment soon afterward.

“I did research about the school and the area and how the baseball program is,” Prampin noted. “The coach there now has similarities to my coach (Mike Fahy).”

Worcester State and Bridgewater State, a pair of Division III colleges in Massachusetts, were the only offers Prampin had prior to Dayton.

“This offer really stood out,” Prampin said about the U of D.

A position change proved to be the right move in aiding the Division I baseball quest by the 6-2 170-pounder.

“At the beginning of the summer I had a transition from shortstop to outfield,” Prampin explained. “I made it because I saw myself a better fit there. I’m a quicker-type player. A lot of people see me as more of an outfielder and I think it’s for the better.”

Admittedly, an abundance of determination is required in learning a new position.

“I’ve really been working a lot on footwork,” Prampin related. “It’s different from infield. There’s a different arm slot and I’ve also been working on that.”

Improvement has followed.

“I’ve learned you let the ball come to you and play it off the hop instead of going right at it,” Prampin said. “It’s also important being quick to the cut (off).”

Dayton has come away impressed with what they’ve seen in the 17-year-old from Worcester.

“They like that I’m versatile and I’m quick on my feet,” Prampin pointed out. “They see me as a good outfielder.”

Dennis Healy, PBR Massachusetts Director of Scouting, also liked what he saw in Prampin at the Double Play Invaders Scout Day event in October.

“Prampin is a good looking prospect,” Healy said. “He shows the athleticism and versatility to play multiple positions and swings the bat well.”

The desire to play baseball at the next level has been there for some time.

“I’ve always wanted to play college baseball ,” Prampin related. “I’ve always watched it on TV and had friends that played it. Sophomore year when I started going to a few showcases I began to get some looks and that’s when it all started becoming realistic.”

Still, being uncommitted the summer before senior school year had its moments.

“There’s always a little doubt there,” Prampin admitted. “I was a little nervous. It sure was great to get an offer.”

Help and reassurance came from more than one source for Prampin.

“My parents were really big in all of this,” Prampin said. “They pushed me along the way to do my best. My teammates were also pushing me, telling me I can go far.”

The recruiting process was in actuality not what Prampin expected.

“At first it was nerve-wracking not having a junior season,” Prampin reflected. “But once I got into it all it was fun searching colleges and getting to know other people along the way.”

Criminal justice is the probable major for Prampin, a 3.3 student who believes he can provide a positive influence to the Dayton program.

“On the field I’m a real versatile player,” Prampin said about what he feels he brings to the table. “Off the field I have a lot of energy. I think I’ll be a good fit to the team.”