SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTXL) \u2014 At Sacramento State, Ethan Lay is putting together one of the most impressive pitching seasons in the WAC.<\/p>\n
But his story doesn\u2019t start in a big city or a powerhouse program.<\/p>\n
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It starts in Colusa, a Northern California town of about 6,000 people, where Lay says everyone knows everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy parents are teachers, my dad is the athletic director, so pretty much everyone in town has had them,\u201d Lay said. \u201cThey are kind of like celebrities in our county.\u201d<\/p>\n
Growing up in a tight knit community, Lay says there was not much to do other than play sports. Baseball quickly became his passion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up playing a lot of different sports, but baseball is definitely the one I always excelled in,\u201d Lay said. \u201cIt has always been something I really enjoyed. It is like a home away from home being on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Lay began his college career at Chico State, where he spent two seasons continuing to develop his game. But with aspirations of playing at the highest level, he knew he needed to take the next step.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always wanted to play at the highest level of baseball and play the best teams,\u201d Lay said. \u201cIt just made sense for me to come here, elevate my game and compete against the best competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
That decision led him to Sacramento State, where his growth has been evident.<\/p>\n
Now a senior, Lay has emerged as one of the most efficient pitchers in the conference. He ranks near the top of the WAC in strikeouts while issuing very few walks, a combination that has put him on the national radar.<\/p>\n
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Earlier this season, Lay was named to the College Baseball Foundation\u2019s National Pitcher of the Year watch list, an honor that caught him by surprise.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty surreal,\u201d Lay said. \u201cI never thought I would be up for anything like that. I have never really been the big award guy. I just try to go out there and be the best that I can be.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the recognition is meaningful, it\u2019s not what drives him. Lay says his focus has always been on consistency and continuing to improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not reaching for the award or anything like that,\u201d Lay said. \u201cIf it happens, it happens, but there are a lot of really good pitchers out there. I am just trying to do the same thing every single day.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Still, there is one part of this season that has felt different.<\/p>\n
The phone calls.<\/p>\n
Lay says he has had conversations with multiple Major League teams, something that once felt far out of reach.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had some good conversations with some teams and put myself in a good position to hopefully play at the next level,\u201d Lay said.<\/p>\n
One moment in particular stands out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a call with the Giants the other day, and you see the logo and it is surreal,\u201d Lay said. \u201cIt is pretty crazy. It is nothing I would have ever imagined.\u201d<\/p>\n
Back home in Colusa, those moments carry even more meaning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told my aunt about it and she is a huge Giants fan, and she was tearing up,\u201d Lay said.<\/p>\n
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Sacramento State head coach Reggie Christiansen says Lay\u2019s rise is no surprise, pointing to both his ability and his approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has four or five really good pitches, and he throws a lot of strikes,\u201d Christiansen said. \u201cHe just keeps getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christiansen also emphasizes what makes Lay stand out beyond the mound.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe cares about his family, he cares about his teammates, and he wants to win,\u201d Christiansen said. \u201cHe is everything you want your program to be about.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Lay, the goal is simple. Keep playing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really want to keep playing,\u201d Lay said. \u201cI hope to get drafted, but there are a lot of different avenues. It is something I want, but it is out of my control. I am just going to keep doing what I am doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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From a small town where his family is known by nearly everyone, to hearing from Major League organizations, Lay\u2019s journey has been anything but typical.<\/p>\n
And while he still considers himself under the radar, that may not be the case for much longer.<\/p>\n
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