Kent Finds Future Home At Wagner College

WAKEFIELD, Ma. - Zack Kent admitted to being a little nervous a few months back with senior year of high school ahead and no college commitment in sight.

That uncertainty has been put to rest, however, with the eighth-rated 2022 shortstop in Massachusetts heading to Wagner College.

“I was actually concerned this summer,” Kent related. “Not too many coaches were interested in me. I was afraid or thought I might have to play Division III around here, but my coaches told me to just go play and it will all work out.”

It did not take Wagner long to give the 79th-ranked senior in New England an offer after watching the Wakefield Memorial High School standout perform.

“I was playing in a tournament at Diamond Nation and an assistant coach saw me there,” Kent said in reference to Wagner recruiting coordinator Devin Burke. “There was another tournament right after in Staten Island where he came and watched. He gave me a call after that and I went to a camp there. They gave me an offer a couple of days after and four or five days later I committed.”

The 17-year-old enjoyed getting in front of the Wagner staff.

“There were only eight kids in a group so they got in a lot of instruction that I hadn’t known before,” Kent noted.

That was just part of what stood out about the Northeast Conference school.

“The academics are good,” pointed out the 3.6 student looking at a major in either finance or accounting.”I also like how it’s not in a city, I don’t like big cities. But what I really enjoyed was camp with the coaches, they were really good at instructing.”

Babson College and Franklin Pierce were schools in the northeast that had shown interest in Kent before Wagner became the school of choice.

“They like that I’m a very good infielder that’s quick and fast on the basepaths,” Kent said of the college located in Staten Island.

Improvement over the past 11/2 years proved vital according to Kent, who also credited PBR showcases in 2021 with helping get his information out for coaches to see.

“I’ve put on at least 20 pounds, mostly muscle,” pointed out the 5-10 175-pounder. “I started out the Covid year 145-150 and now I’m 175, so I hit the ball much harder, I can throw it harder and feel way faster. It’s helped me a lot.”

And the desire to continue playing the game of baseball has become a reality.

“It’s always been one of my dreams to play baseball at the next level,” Kent explained. “I’ve always loved the sport. I really showed this summer and my coaches told me I can play at the next level with how I was performing.”

The 15th-rated 2022 shortstop in New England believes he can bring important tools to help a Wagner program that last won a conference title in 2009 and lone NCAA Tournament appearance came in 2000.

“Honestly, I think I’ll be one of those players that makes contact, gets on base and just moves around the bases quickly,” Kent said. “I believe I’ll be able to help the program get a lot of runs and win a lot of games.”

Admittedly, the recruiting process had its difficulties according to Kent, who pointed to father Jeff as the biggest influence in his baseball journey, with coaches Kevin Canty and Steve Lomasney others that have played major roles.

“It was kind of hard,” Kent noted. “With the dead period coaches couldn’t come see you. The Covid year really screwed my class over. But on the positive side, it was cool talking to all the coaches. I also toured some campuses and I liked that.”

But for Kent, little can compare with the feeling of a commitment to a school located four hours from home.

“It was amazing for me and my parents,” Kent concluded. “Wagner is the perfect fit. It’s not too big, I didn’t want that. It’s not too far and it’s not too close. The program is great and the academics are great. It’s near Manhattan so I could have an internship when I get out.”