2008 Woodie Awards
Zayas breaking out in 2007
Gil Zayas led the attack both offensively and defensively for a St. John's team that has gone 22-4 since March 9
Deborah N. Harris, Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/25/07Section: Sports
The St. John's men's baseball team has amassed an overall record of 25-12 (11-4 Big East), and much of the team's success can be attributed to the strong efforts of Gil Zayas. Zayas uses his brawny athletic build to his advantage in throwing from third base and powerful performances from the plate. Zayas has been racking the nerves of competitors
with his consistent overall play, leading the Red Storm in batting (.379), ranking second in RBI (36), and tying third in homeruns (4). The fierce competitor has upgraded his game on the field in his three years at St. John's, as he continues to improve in his junior season.
"He's well-improved since he arrived on the St. John's campus. He has great athletic ability," said head coach Ed Blankmeyer. "His game is getting better [and] he will continue to play at the next level."
Zayas has exhibited a superior style of play and has had some really big highlights this season. For example, he hit two homeruns in the final game of a doubleheader sweep against Pittsburgh, a feat he had never accomplished before in his collegiate career.
"It felt amazing: one because we won the game, two because it was a great experience,
[and, three] it was in a Big East conference series," said Zayas.
He also earned his first Big East Conference Player-of-the-Week Honors in three years with the Red Storm. Zayas caught the eye of the Big East after hitting .500 with two doubles, two homers, and 10 RBI in six games during the week of April 8.
"I always wanted to be named," he said. "I was lucky to perform well that week."
Last week, Zayas was one of 24 players honored by the College Baseball Foundation as national players of the week. This accolade also came off his impressive week of April 8. Zayas, a native of Cuba, has been playing the sport that he loves since he was a child. His father and uncles played in his home country, so it was in his blood for him to be a ball player.
"I love [baseball] because I was born within the game," he says. "Ever since I was born, I had a bat and ball by me.. I was with it my whole life."
with his consistent overall play, leading the Red Storm in batting (.379), ranking second in RBI (36), and tying third in homeruns (4). The fierce competitor has upgraded his game on the field in his three years at St. John's, as he continues to improve in his junior season.
"He's well-improved since he arrived on the St. John's campus. He has great athletic ability," said head coach Ed Blankmeyer. "His game is getting better [and] he will continue to play at the next level."
Zayas has exhibited a superior style of play and has had some really big highlights this season. For example, he hit two homeruns in the final game of a doubleheader sweep against Pittsburgh, a feat he had never accomplished before in his collegiate career.
"It felt amazing: one because we won the game, two because it was a great experience,
[and, three] it was in a Big East conference series," said Zayas.
He also earned his first Big East Conference Player-of-the-Week Honors in three years with the Red Storm. Zayas caught the eye of the Big East after hitting .500 with two doubles, two homers, and 10 RBI in six games during the week of April 8.
"I always wanted to be named," he said. "I was lucky to perform well that week."
Last week, Zayas was one of 24 players honored by the College Baseball Foundation as national players of the week. This accolade also came off his impressive week of April 8. Zayas, a native of Cuba, has been playing the sport that he loves since he was a child. His father and uncles played in his home country, so it was in his blood for him to be a ball player.
"I love [baseball] because I was born within the game," he says. "Ever since I was born, I had a bat and ball by me.. I was with it my whole life."
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