50
05.08.20
titan scroll
From cut to D1 Zach Dillman’s comeback story
Ian McDonald No spring sports, no high school baseball, no final season in the Titan uniform for several seniors. For some, this was to be their first year basking in the sunshine of varsity sports. Such was the case for senior Zach Dillman, a Missouri State commit. Instead, Dillman will be getting ready for college ball next year. Dillman didn’t play a single game of varsity in his four years at West and was actually cut from the team his sophomore year. “I wasn’t discouraged because I play catcher and Trevor [Kardell], one of the best players on the team, plays catcher so I was sort of expecting it,” Dillman said. Not playing varsity baseball didn’t discourage Dillman when it came time for college scouting though. “Most scouting for me comes from within school camps and not at high school games. They don’t usually go to games unless you caught their attention at a camp or elsewhere.” When deciding where to go, Dillman said “I wanted to be within three hours of home and Missouri State was two and a half and has a good history of baseball.” Teammate, junior Walker Mann said “I think getting cut from a school sport is a terrible feeling but I believe that Zach improved his baseball skills to play at the level he wished to play at.” Coach Meyer admired his worth ethic. “He’s a hard worker and you can see that. It’s not easy being cut your sophomore year and coming back better. There’s a reason why he’s committed to Missouri State. He would’ve played a pretty big role for us this year.” Meyer said, “High school ball isn’t everything for these kids though. I know plenty of kids who I cut or didn’t play high school ball but still were able to make it to the next level.”
Meyer explained, “When he was a sophomore me and my coaching staff just didn’t see the skill set we were looking for, and our teams the past couple of years have been pretty stacked with college level players so we just didn’t really have room for someone like Zach at the time.” Now, Dillman continues to put in work despite the statewide lockdown. “Even though high school ball was cancelled I still go hit, throw, lift weights or whatever is on the schedule everyday,” Dillman said. His teammate also had positive things to say about him. Mann said, “Zach is a very good and powerful athlete, he
knows the game well. He has improved a lot on his hitting and attitude as a ball player and he is going to do great things at Missouri State.” Dillman has a message for all players cut from their high school team or have been told they are not good enough. “Just keep working and don’t let the high school team determine who you are,” Dillman said. “I was cut my sophomore year, but don’t give up there. Just keep working and earn your spot the next year. Use it to encourage you to be better and don’t give up.”