Ohio baseball player Hayden Johnston was a three-sport athlete in high school, but when it came time to pick a sport to play in college, it was the Ohio baseball program that caught his attention.
Johnston lettered in baseball, basketball and football at Clarion-Limestone High School in northern Pennsylvania.
The 5-foot-10-inch Ohio infielder said it was tough to decide whether he was going to play football or baseball in college.
I couldn't make up my mind whether I wanted to play football or baseball
but because of my size I decided baseball would be the safer route Johnston said.
He had offers from several schools to play football.
I was almost going to Navy to play quarterback but I don't know where coach (Joe) Carbone came up. (He) gave me a good offer and then I had to come here
Johnston said.
Johnston said that former Ohio baseball player Adam Fox recommended the Ohio program to him.
I came out and saw what it was all about
and I loved it here
Johnston said.
When Johnston arrived at Ohio, it did not take long for the freshman infielder to secure a spot in the starting lineup. He is the only player to start all 41 of the team's games this season.
He's done a great job for us
said Ohio coach Joe Carbone. We'd be lost if he hadn't come through for us
because we don't have anyone else to go play third for us.
Johnston, who is currently batting .280 and has 42 hits this season, said the biggest difference between high school and college baseball is the pitchers he faces.
The biggest difference hitting-wise is pitchers are able to throw more off-speed pitches for strikes and they throw a little bit harder
so you have to learn to hit the off-speed pitches
he said.
In addition to making the adjustment from playing high school baseball to college baseball, Johnston also had to learn to play a new position.
In high school, he played shortstop but is now the everyday third baseman for the Bobcats.
He's come in and made some good plays
he's made some great plays
