COLLEGE BASEBALL: SAYRE'S GARRITY SIGNS LETTER-OF-INTENT TO PLAY AT DIVISION II MANSFIELD (2 PHOTOS) (2023-05-31)

Valley Sports Report
SAYRE — Sayre senior Zack Garrity believed Mansfield University fit his needs, so on Friday he signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play baseball for the Division II program.

“Mansfield was my first choice, and it’s close to home,” said Garrity. “The dorms look great, and it felt like a good fit.

“Their baseball team is improving, and their recruiting is getting better,” he added.

Garrity said the recruiting process had its challenges.

“I went and spoke with the coach, and he was interested in me,” he said. “It was a little challenging connecting, but everything worked out well in the end.”

Garrity said his time playing at Sayre, for coach Jamie VanDuzer, helped him prepare to play at the next level.

“I learned how to win,” he said.

“I had the opportunity to pitch, which I liked, but more importantly I got a great understanding of fundamentals, and we were constantly fine-tuning along the way,” added Garrity.

Garrity signed his letter-of-intent in a brief ceremony in the high school library. The ceremony also included classmate Jackson Hubbard’s signing to play at Monroe Community College.

VanDuzer spoke on both of his players after the signings.

“I’d like to start by saying how proud I am with both of them for sticking it out during a very different time with our school, when we saw many opt to go to other schools,” he said. “They all had very difficult decisions to make and I for one appreciate the decision they made to stay with us.

“I think both of these guys will make a big impact on their respective teams next year,” noted VanDuzer. “They both possess very strong throwing arms and should be able to play a few different positions on defense.

“They are both tough kids,” added VanDuzer. “They both have a high baseball IQ.”

VanDuzer said both can hit, and that will help them get on the field.

“For both it will likely come down to offense,” he said. “They can both flat out hit; and if you produce offensively the coaches will find a spot on defense for you.

“It’s happening right now with a few of our own in college — Brayden Horton, Kannon VanDuzer and Quinn Hanafin; playing some different positions they may be not accustomed to but because the are raking, they are playing,” noted VanDuzer.  “That’s how it goes at the next level, when you carry a .400-plus batting average.

 “I think these two will have the potential to be the same type players,” added VanDuzer. “They have been solid leaders on the field and have been a joy to coach.”

VanDuzer believes Garrity could fit in defensively at a number of positions.

“Zack doesn’t look like your prototypical shortstop, but for the last three years I’ve seen make plays that many high school shortstops don’t make,” said VanDuzer. “And, he makes very difficult plays look easy.

“He could also transition into second base or possibly even third,” added VanDuzer. “Not to mention he is an above-average catcher.”

Garrity said his goals for college are simple: “Graduate, play baseball, and enjoy the experience.”

Garrity will major in Math, with plans of becoming a secondary education teacher.

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PHOTOS PROVIDED.