Dominating Zeeland East baseball sending nearly full lineup to colleges

ZEELAND - After claiming the program's first district title, the Zeeland East baseball team is off to another great start.

At 19-2, it wouldn't be surprising to know the Chix have some players headed to the college ranks next year.

How about an entire lineup?

Zeeland East has nine seniors headed to play college baseball next year.

More: Zeeland East baseball sweeps Dux with Seay's power surge, Salas' record win

More: Check out the baseball players to watch this season in the Holland area

"It shows the hard work that all of these guys have put in. I am just really proud of them. They have kept grinding all these years and love the game," Zeeland East coach Matt Sattler said. "It is really exciting that I get to keep watching them play. These seniors (and we had a couple who got offers who chose not to play in college) show that hard worked really does pay off. The younger kids see that and hopefully they understand that is what it takes to get to the next level."

Here is a look at them:

Charlie Lacny

Position: Shortstop

College: College of Central Florida - "I chose it for the opportunity. It is a Juco, but a lot of guys play there for two years then transfer to a Power 5 school. The weather and atmosphere made it a good fit for me."

View on the team: "This group means a lot to me. We are like a family now. We have grown up together and are blessed to have so many kids play at the next level."

Koby Windeler

Position: Pitcher/catcher

College: Muskegon Communty College - "I chose there because it felt like a home and they wanted me. I felt like I could be an asset to the team and see playing time right away."

View on the team: "I love it. We have a lot of guys who can do a lot of things. If one guy isn't having a good day, we have a lot of guys who can step in."

Max Salas

Position: Pitcher

College: Northwood University - "The business school and really good baseball is why I chose there."

View on the team: "It means a lot. It makes our practices more competitive and brought us closer. It makes you compete with the people around you."

Gavin Drooger

Position: Pitcher

College: Rose Hulman University - "They have a great engineering school. I went there for academics and baseball was more of a side thing, but I am really glad to be able to do both."

View on the team: "It just shows that everyone cares. We put work in all through the winter and no one slacks off. Whoever is next up takes their chance, and we all take advantage of it."

JJ Salas

Position: Outfield

College: Alpena CC - "I loved the environment and the coaches. I am really excited to go play there."

View on the team: "It means we have an opportunity to do something great, make a run in the playoffs."

Austin Keur

Position: Centerfield

College: Kalamazoo College - "Every time I went down there, it just felt like home - somewhere you wanted to be. I had a good connection with the coach and that was big."

View on the team: "It means everything. It feels like there is always someone behind you ready to contribute. It has been fun to watch. It is going to be fun keeping track of everyone as they go everywhere. I am excited to see where their journey takes them in life."

Brenston Brown

Postion: Catcher

College: Concordia University - "The culture. They run a great program and it is like a brotherhood there. I really wanted that for the next level."

View on the team: "We have all been together since we were really young. Seeing us push each other so much and work so hard together means a lot. We have all been through a lot together."

Chris Seay

Position: Outfield

College: Unviersity of the Cumberlands - "I just felt the Lord put that school in my heart. It just fit me the best and I couldn't turn that down."

View on the team: "It has been amazing seeing all of these guys grow. Seeing the culmination of all of that has been amazing."

Trevor Raade

Position: Pitcher/First base

College: Western Michigan University - "Their culture is really good there and the coaches know everything about me and I am not even there yet. Close to home was a big part of it, too."

View on the team: "It is really cool to see now. I remember in fifth grade wanting to play as a senior. It is really cool to play with nine dudes going to play in college."

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSport s.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Dominating Zeeland East baseball sending nearly full lineup to colleges