Frontier League baseball: New Lake Erie Crusher Kevin Zak adjusts to pro ball

Kevin Zak has been a Crusher for only one week, but a familiar face has made the transition to a new team easier.

Zak, a recent graduate of Grand Valley State, signed with the Crushers on June 16. Though he has never played professionally, his former teammate Brad Zambron was Zak’s source for a spot in the Frontier League. Zambron is in his second season pitching with the Crushers.

PHOTOS: Lake Erie Crushers vs. Gateway Grizzlies, June 23, 2015

‘He was kind of my connection here,’ Zak said. ‘Then he started talking to Mong (Manager Chris Mongiardo), let him know that I had some interest in coming here and things kind of went from there and made it happen.’

Zak and Zambron played together for two seasons before Zambron joined the Crushers for the 2014 season. Zak hit a career .377 at Grand Valley State as he slugged 13 home runs, 98 RBI and swiped 21 bases. He earned first team all-GLIAC, Rawlings all-Region, all-GLIAC Tournament team and NCBWA all-America Honorable Mention honors his senior year.

‘Hard work pays off,’ Zak said of the most important lesson he learned playing college ball. ‘That’s probably the biggest thing. We spent a lot of time in the offseason preparing ourselves for the season. I think that led to a lot of my success and team success.’

Zak received additional preparation during the summer when he played in summer collegiate leagues to stay sharp. The Novi, Michigan, native spent one summer in Ohio with the Chillicothe Paints, part of the Prospect League. He also played two seasons with a team in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

With just one week of professional ball under his belt, Zak has plenty to learn. The biggest difference he has noticed between college and pro ball is the intensity.

‘Everyone is bigger, faster, stronger,’ Zak noted. ‘The game moves a little quicker. Another difference is, this is everyone’s job so everyone takes it a lot more serious and everyone works harder. Everyone’s pulling for the same thing.’

At the plate, Zak noted the spike in velocity from pitchers. The adjustment may take some time, but he’s receiving plenty of help from teammates, especially Zambron.

‘It helps a lot, just having someone to show you the ropes from day one, and kind of let you know about the ins and outs,’ Zak said. ‘But everyone else has been great. They’ve all been friendly and welcoming and made me feel part of the team.’

On June 23, Zak recorded his first Frontier League hits, going 3-for-6 with three singles and an RBI as Lake Erie erupted for 15 hits amid an 11-1 victory over Gateway.

Starting pitcher Zach Morton notched his first win after tossing five scoreless innings in which he surrendered four hits, two walks and struck out five.

The Crushers plated three runs in the second inning while Gateway was held scoreless until the sixth as first baseman Ben Waldrip doubled, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a balk by reliever Brad Duffy.

Lake Erie rallied for four runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by a three-run double down the right field line off the bat of catcher Emmanuel Quiles. In repeat fashion, left fielder Trevor Stevens doubled to right to plate Quiles. Stevens ended the evening 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a walk.

Four more Crushers touched home in the eighth inning as shortstop Juan Sanchez added a two-run single en route to a 2-for-5 evening.