2018 Baseball Roster
Roster
Neff, Zach
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Jersey Number 3
Zach Neff
- Position:
- LHP
- Height:
- 6-1
- Weight:
- 195
- Class:
- Fifth Year
- Hometown:
- Belleville, IL
- High School/Previous School:
- Austin Peay
Bio
CAREER: In three seasons at Austin Peay, amassed 60 appearances (12 starts) and a 6.55 ERA in 136.0 innings pitched, along with 139 strikeouts and 39 walks • An influencer on the field and in the classroom as he was named to the 2014-15 Ohio Valley Conference Honor Roll, in addition to being a three-time Dean’s List member and a six-time Athletics Director’s Honor Roll member.2017: Made 23 appearances, beginning season out of the bullpen for first 18 before making four starts in season’s final month • Finished year with a 5.76 ERA in all outings, posting 57 strikeouts in 59.1 innings pitched while allowing only 15 walks • In his four starts, posted a 0-1 record and 5.03 ERA, along with 22 strikeouts against only three walks in 19.2 innings pitched • Austin Peay notched a 3-1 record in his starts • Did not walk a batter in his first three starts of campaign, totaling 14.1 innings pitched • Season’s final outing was as starting pitcher in Govs OVC tournament contest against Morehead State, May 24, and he went 5.1 innings while allowing five runs on eight hits and striking out five • Struck out a season-high eight batters at Notre Dame, May 14, limiting the Fighting Irish to one run over his six innings • As a reliever, was particularly impressive in his five outings that went four or more innings. Posted a 2.18 ERA and recorded 20 strikeouts (8.71 K/9) in those outings with two saves • Supplied four scoreless innings to notch season’s first save, March 4 against Mercer, striking outing five batters and allowing only three hits • Season’s second save saw him allow one unearned run in four innings against Belmont, April 8, striking out six batters and issuing no walks • Followed Belmont outing with another 4.2 innings of scoreless relief at Eastern Kentucky, April 13, striking out three batters • Allowed only one earned run (two runs total) in a seven-outing stretch, March 29-April 21, with 19.2 innings pitched that saw him post 11 strikeouts and allow only two walks and ended with 10.1 consecutive scoreless innings • Posted the third save of the season at Eastern Kentucky, April 15, with a five-pitch outing that saw him record the game’s final out.
2016: Began season as Govs No. 3 weekend starter but developed into reliable stopper out of bullpen as season progressed • Ultimately made 25 appearances, six starts, while compiling a 1-7 record, one save and striking out 60 batters in 56.2 innings pitched • Was a weekend starter through the first six weeks of the season and finished 1-4 with an 11.64 ERA as a starter • Moved into bullpen role as March ended and came into form. Posted 4.19 ERA in 19 relief appearances, striking out 41 batters and allowing only nine walks in 34.1 innings pitched • Beginning with Belmont finale, April 17, pieced together a streak of nine appearances totaling 16.2 innings where he did not allow an earned run. Struck out 18 batters and walked only two during the streak • Held Eastern Illinois to one run while striking out six over six innings, March 12, to record season’s only victory • Notched season’s lone save when he retired the side in order to end Lipscomb contest, April 19.
2015: Made 12 appearances, including two starts, striking out 22 batters in 20 innings pitched and finishing with a 7.20 ERA • Ended season with four scoreless innings in start at Lipscomb, May 12, striking out six while not allowing a hit in his longest outing • Season’s first start was three-inning no decision at Western Kentucky, April 28 • Used primarily out of the bullpen for bulk of season, with 10 relief appearances accounting for 13 innings of work • Struck out two of three batters faced against Eastern Illinois, March 9, helping secure Govs victory • Went three innings in relief against Western Michigan, Feb. 28, allowing two earned runs on four hits.
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior, compiled 7-4 record and 2.79 ERA with 10 walks and 92 strikeouts in 67.2 innings • Named to Illinois All-Star team for 2014 PNC High School Baseball Showcase at Busch Stadium and was a 2014 Perfect Game Central Region Honorable Mention • Led Gibault to Illinois Class 1A State Title as a junior, compiling an 8-2 record, 1.91 ERA while walking just five and striking out 90 in 66 innings • Named First-Team All-State and was Class 1A Player of the Year selection by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association • Played under head coach Andrew Skaer and also played for St. Louis Pirates summer team.
PERSONAL: Born Zachary Peter Neff on March 14, 1996 in Belleville, Ill. • Son of Karen and Richard Neff • Has an older sister, Amanda • Intends to receive his Master’s of business administration from MSU • Secret ambition is to become an olympic skiier and secret talent is juggling.
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