North Brunswick’s Reed, Zacek sign with BCC baseball

 LELAND—North Brunswick High School seniors Dylan Reed and David Zacek signed letters of intent March 20 to attend Brunswick Community College and play baseball.

Michael Paul

With Brunswick Community College head baseball coach Robbie Allen and North Brunswick High School baseball coach Randy Fennell in the back, North seniors David Zacek and Dylan Reed signed letters of intent March 20 to attend BCC and play baseball.

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Reed, the son of David and Janet Reed, is a pitcher and third baseman. Zacek, the son of David and Shelley Zacek, is a left-handed pitcher and outfielder. They were members of the Scorpion team last year that reached the Eastern Regional in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Class 2A state playoffs.

Last season, Zacek was 8-3 with a 1.43 ERA. He also threw a no-hitter. In 58.2 innings, he hit two batters, walked 22 and struck out 102. He gave up 34 hits and 12 earned runs. He batted .290 with 11 RBIs.

“One game away from the state championship—that’s the biggest (highlight) for me,” Zacek said. Yes, I threw the no-hitter, but making it to that last (regional) game, was probably the biggest for me.”

BCC’s reputation got Zacek interested in the Dolphins.

 “I really like the program,” he said. “I’ve known (pitching coach) Daniel (Rabon) for three, four years. He’s been good to me. He’s been a good coach.”

The recent success of the five-year program under head coach Robbie Allen also attracted Zacek.

“Coach Allen, he’s got connections,” Zacek said. “Everybody’s always telling me: ‘He’s the guy to go to. He can definitely get you somewhere.’

“Not only do I look at it as a steppingstone to a four-year university, I look at it as maybe another steppingstone to getting to the next level.”

As a pitcher this season, Reed is 1-0 with a 3.36 ERA. Last season Reed was 0-1 with a 1.68 ERA. He pitched 8.1 innings. In the first eight games of this season, Reed is batting .273 with two RBIs.

Reed said he was hopeful of transferring to UNCW after he graduates from BCC.

Like Zacek, Reed said reaching the regional was the highlight for him last year.

“Getting to pitch at Randleman, starting the third game—for me getting to shine a little bit,” he said.

He hopes to continue to pitch well this season “and, hopefully, get a state championship. Help my team as much as I can.”

North Brunswick head baseball coach Randy Fennell said he was impressed by how Reed had matured during high school.

“I can honestly say at one point in time Dylan was a headache,” Fennell said. “He didn’t want to come to school. He didn’t want to do what he was supposed to do. But, wow, what a turnaround.

“Typically, very seldom does that happen, if a kid struggles as a freshman, just has a negative attitude. But boy, what a turnaround he has made. He has been one of the most coachable, pleasant human beings the last two years that I have ever coached. Hard working, dedicated to his team.”

Fennell said Reed and Zacek were never selfish.

“You don’t hear negative comments about their teammates (by them). They are always for the team. Their work ethic and desire to play this game has got them this opportunity, and the fact that they have done well enough in the classroom that they can go to the next level and perform.”

Fennell told Allen, “I think that you’re getting two prizes here. I love both of these boys and I appreciate what they have done for the program the last four years.”

“We’re very, very excited about getting local guys to come in and play,” Allen said. “We’re looking for big things out of them.”