By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

As a junior, Logan Downing earned second team Class 5A all-state when he finished 6-0 with a 2.56 earned-run average for the Hays High School baseball team. Last fall, though, Downing hurt his shoulder during football season and went to Fort Hays State University for a December baseball camp.

"Coach (Rick) Sabath was going to pick me up as another pitcher," Downing said. "I would just strictly do that, nothing else."

Downing's shoulder limited his pitching this spring for the Indians. But Downing, able to play every infield and outfield position, delivered an all-conference year as Hays High's leadoff hitter and has been impressive this summer for the Hays Legion team. Downing's versatility prompted Sabath to make another offer to join the program.

"Then just recently, when I was a little better in late spring, he offered me walk-on as a position player instead of a pitcher, which I was totally fine with that," Downing said. "That gives me options."

Downing, after looking at several other schools, decided to stay home and will play for Fort Hays next year. The right-handed pitcher/infielder/outfielder has added power, reinvented himself as a pitcher and could help the Tigers at a variety of positions.

"Yeah, I probably won't be playing the first couple of years, but I can always work, get myself better and then get myself on the field," he said. "I like the program."

Downing, one of the top pitchers and players for Hays High during the past three years, has enjoyed a strong relationship with Sabath, in his fourth year as Tiger baseball coach.

"I get along with Coach Sabath real well," Downing said. "He sits down and talks to us and I get along with him. I talk to him more than I talk to anybody else. He has always been here. He is here to watch the games and I really liked the program. I grew up here and my dad (Scott) played at Fort Hays for football."

Downing's name appears in several places in the Indian record book during the 29-year Frank Leo era. He finished 11-1 on the mound and is tied for 10th in career victories under Leo. Downing's six wins in 2008 are tied for eighth. As a junior, Downing threw a no-hitter against Dodge City, the 10th time (eighth pitcher) an Indian hurler has thrown a no-hitter in Leo's tenure.

During football season, Downing, the Indians' top wide receiver and kick returner, hurt his shoulder. He had trouble throwing overhand and reinvented himself, using a sidearm/three-quarters arm slot. He worked just 82âÑ3 innings all spring with a 1-0 record and 3.23 earned-run average.

"Over the top, my ball is straight, and I wasn't as good as I was last year," he said. "I didn't have the velocity. But my ball movement is better as a sidearm. It's been working well for me, and I am really comfortable with it. I think I am going to stick with that and mix it up here and there."

Batting-wise, Downing earned honorable mention Western Athletic Conference honors after he hit .325 with 16 RBIs. His 12 doubles were second-most on the club and tied for fourth-most in the Leo era. Downing helped a young Indian team that returned just four starters go 17-6, tie for the conference crown and reach the 5A state tournament.

"Some people didn't expect much out of this Hays High team," Leo said. "But those guys believed."

Downing is one of four Indians that will play college baseball next year, tying for the most in a single Hays High class since five players signed in 1998.

"Logan is a good athlete," Leo said. "I don't know what his role is going to wind up being in college, but he is a good, athletic kid. At times, he will hit for power. Very versatile. Can play a lot of positions. Velocity-wise, if he masters the sidearm thing, maybe he can be an effective one-inning guy in the middle somewhere."

This summer, though, Downing has improved from the new arm slot and worked 26 innings, including three solid starts versus Salina, Great Bend and the Colorado Bears on Friday night in the Wild West tournament.

"That is going to come," Downing said. "I was surprised against Salina when I threw in a full game. I figured out where to stand on the mound and my footing just came. Bullpens are just going to make it better. I am just going to get better as the season goes. Just work on it and then pitches, I can perfect those."

In the field, Downing leads the Hays Legion in doubles (nine) and is batting over .400. He has also started at multiple positions, including right field, left field and second base -- versatility that could help the Tigers for several years.