Stahl Hoping To Be Role Model At Louisville

SPRING LAKE - Though just turning 16 years of age this week, Zane Stahl has a good realization about what he considers the perfect life at the next level.

“I’m definitely looking for the full college experience, hanging out with guys I can trust and lean on,” the Spring Lake High School sophomore said. “I’m also looking forward to learning new things and being part of a tradition.”

The third-rated 2025 in Michigan believes he has found that at Louisville, six hours from his home in western Michigan.

“Louisville started talking to me the third week of August,” Stahl reflected. “I was taken aback how unreal it was. There was a lot of communication with phone calls to me and my travel coach Billy Peterson, who knows them well. I went to a camp, and two days after they offered. The next day I committed.”

Obviously, the camp went well.

“I went on a bus tour and saw the baseball slide of things,” Stahl noted. “I like the location, it’s close enough to home where my parents could see me play.”

That is just a small portion of what made an impression about Louisville on the 38th-ranked sophomore right-handed pitcher in the country.

“I like the way the coaches have had good success and that they’ve helped develop kids with my frame,” the 6-6 195-pounder pointed out. “I also like that they’re not very active in the transfer portal. They also offer a Fellowship of Christian Athletes program. I like the aspect of doing that along with baseball.”

Offers from Ohio State and Indiana were on the table for Stahl at the time of his commitment to Louisville.

“The feeling was right and I had to pull the trigger,” Stahl said.

Louisville is happy to have the 171st-rated 2025 in the nation on board.

“They like my projectability and high ceiling,” Stahl explained. “They also said they liked my attitude at camp and the conversations we had before and after.”

It has the number two sophomore RHP in the state reaching a long-time goal.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play baseball in college,” Stahl related. “I was looking at D-III schools around here, but once my name got out there it was serious. It was definitely a fast process and one to enjoy with my family.

“For me, it was definitely a sigh of relief,” Stahl continued. “The recruiting process was stressful, as fun as it was. I’m relieved to know the decision made was backed by my family. It was definitely exciting and we celebrated that night, but the next day I got back at it.”

Stahl pointed to a change in summer teams with helping the cause in his recruitment.

“I switched travel teams and played for the Grand Rapids Diamonds,” Stahl noted. “They helped develop me as a player and young man. I worked with Eric Kipling who helped with the mental side of things to be able to perform better at the next level and also with anything to stay in shape.

“My parents (Jamie and Courtney) have helped me a lot growing up,” Stahl added. “Vance Nardin is another that has helped. He started me out with getting used to the weight room and gave me the basics for what I should do.”

Now Stahl looks for continued improvement as he prepares for what lies ahead at Louisville.

“There’s always room to grow,” Stahl said. “I’m looking to grow physically. I want to grow muscle and have a more sustainable build to be able to go longer in games. I’m also working on the command of my offspeed to locate it later in games. I also need to keep working on getting stronger on the mental side.”

Sport management and business are being considered as potential college majors for Stahl, a 4.0 student who believes he can be a strong asset to the Atlantic Coast Conference program in Kentucky.

“I’m going to be able to bring a good all-around teammate,” Stahl said. “I think I’ll be able to perform well and have a good work ethic. My goal is to be a role model there. I plan to work hard and get into the starting lineup as soon as possible.”