ZIELINSKI BECOMES FIRST EVER FORMER NORTHEAST BASEBALL PLAYER SELECTED IN MLB DRAFT

ARLINGTON, Texas – Former Northeast Community College baseball student-athlete Zane Zielinski was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the ninth round of the MLB Draft with the No. 268 overall pick Monday. Zielinski was the starting shortstop at Northeast from 2021-22 and becomes the first ever Northeast baseball player selected in the MLB Draft.

Northeast head baseball coach Marcus Clapp couldn't be more excited to see a former Hawks player that he coached at Northeast rewarded for all of his hard work.

"Super proud of him," Clapp said. "Happy for him. Obviously, we knew he had talent here. We knew his glove and his arm was always a strength, but he has developed as a hitter and that's shown by him getting drafted by the Giants. Super excited for him and excited for our program to have someone who has been here of that caliber. Hopefully he continues to develop and makes his way up the ranks."

Zielinski was named First Team All-Region after his freshman year in a Hawks uniform and was named Second Team All-Region after his sophomore season at Northeast. During his two years with the Hawks, Zielinski hit for a .376 batting average, tallied 18 doubles, eight triples, eight home runs and recorded 91 RBIs. He also placed on an ICCAC Academic All-Region Team all four semesters in the classroom.

After the 2022 season, Zielinski transferred to the University of Illinois Chicago to finish his collegiate career. His best season with the Flames came this year where he hit for a .407 batting average, launched eight home runs, drove in 42 RBIs and was named First Team All-MVC in the Missouri Valley Conference.

"Going back to Chicago was a huge deal for him so he could play in front of his family the last couple of years," Clapp said. "As our shortstop, Zane was the leader of our infield. I'm glad to see him continuing to develop and having the year he had. He has the tools. They are getting a really good player."

Zielinski becomes the 10th player that Clapp has coached throughout his career to be selected in the MLB Draft and will be the second former Northeast student-athlete to play professional baseball as 2019 NJCAA DII Baseball Player of the Year Drew Smith signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The farm system for the Giants includes the Rookie Ball ACL Giants Scottsdale. Arizona, Single-A San Jose Giants in San Jose, California, High-A Eugene Emeralds in Eugene, Oregon, Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels in Richmond, Virginia and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats in West Sacramento, California.

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