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07/09/2023 07:29 AMEach pitch and play brings boundless opportunities and chances in the game of baseball. For Jackson Pray, those scenarios include a change of scenery out of a collective need for the club and wound up aiding the Haddam-Killingworth baseball team in its long awaited climb to the top.
The H-K Class of 2023 graduate played baseball from a very young age while trying his hand at other sports, such as soccer and wrestling, yet he stayed with his passion and favorite pastime. After being a solid middle infielder for the Cougars, H-K needed to fill a void behind the dish this spring so Jackson volunteered his services.
After adjusting to his new home behind home plate and defensive assignment, Jackson and the Cougars completed a 16-4 regular season before more importantly bringing home the program’s first-ever state crown as he hit for a .260 batting average with 17 RBI in 2023. Additionally, in the Cougars’ final three games of the title trek, he notched four hits and drove in six runs.
“I love the different possibilities the game brings, and because it is a sport where you fail often, it is so rewarding when you succeed,” says Jackson. “I love the adversity baseball brings, and it forces you to use your body and mind in different ways. With catching, I worked in bullpen sessions and also on my blocking. It took a lot of work to get to the point of succeeding with it. For me, it was about doing anything to get better to help us win a title.”
When it came to guarding the plate and preventing errant balls being passed by him, Jackson notes that it took some time as he had to adjust his mission of attack when the ball went low.
“The biggest adjustment for me as catcher was definitely blocking,” Jackson says. “Playing middle infield, I would pick up my hands on short hops, but I learned as a catcher when the ball hits the dirt, you have to get your entire body in front of it and build a wall. I had other catchers and my coaches on the team to help me get into the right mindset with blocking. I knew I needed to be down, ready, and keep the ball in front of me.”
Following a 13-0 start to the spring, the Cougars hit a late season lull before a semifinal round exit in the Shoreline Conference Tournament. Yet of course based on the end result of their campaign, Jackson and the Cougars kicked it into another gear once the stakes rose in states.
“I did not like catcher at first. We won 13 games in a row, and then lost four out of our last seven games before losing in Shorelines,” says Jackson. “I did not feel like I was doing enough as catcher, but I locked in once states started. I turned my attitude around and started loving the position so I could be good at it.”
Jackson recalls he additionally had to adjust and strengthen his arm and range of motion when it came to matriculating the ball around the horn–leading to him laying down some pivotal pickoffs in the postseason.
“I feel my throws to second base and my pick off throws to first got better as time went on,” Jackson says. “I always have had a strong arm, but I was missing my throw downs as the year went on. I worked on it more before games and getting to the spot I needed to be at. I then actually threw a guy out at second in the state quarterfinal game against Old Lyme.”
H-K skipper Mark Brookes notes how Jackson’s past parlayed his prominence protecting home while being a remarkable mentor inside the diamond.
“Jackson’s contributions to our success were immeasurable,” says Brookes. “His infielder skills allowed him to be an above average player while he grew into the catching position as a leader and role model. He became a coach on the field and understood the pitch patterns and locations as called.”
In being a member of the roster that wrought the historic first state championship to H-K and its mainstay mentor in Brookes, Jackson prides himself on the camaraderie and confidence that emerged from the dugout and projected onto the field.
“Winning the first state title at H-K means the world to me; I cannot put a number value on it, and it felt amazing,” Jackson says. “From the beginning of the year, we knew we were a good team and could work well together. And even talking together, we knew we could win the title from the start of the season. We had a walk-off win in the second round of states and battled back from the early 2-0 deficit against Coventry in the finals. We just kept battling.”
Few could argue there was a better way for Jackson to cap off his career as a Cougar. He adds that in addition to a deeper and newfound affection for his mates, he discovered a new affinity for the long standing H-K baseball community.
“I love H-K and the baseball program here,” says Jackson. “The program is so good here. Through competition on the team and working together, it makes you love your teammates more. It was amazing to win Coach Brookes a state championship, but our mindset was just to have fun out there. H-K baseball really felt like another home and family to me.”