It is rather ironic that the two players that I interviewed early in the season both were named All-Americans in 2013.
Call it what you want, I call it impeccable talent evaluations.
Dillon McNamara became the 14th Adelphi baseball player in the program’s decorated history to be named All-American, and the first since Robert Nixon went 11-2 in 2011. David Zilnicki became the first player (Tom Heeman was selected in 2009 but had it stripped after an NCAA investigation) in the history of Farmingdale State.
McNamara was nearly spotless this season as the closer for the Panthers. The 6’5″ Staten Island native tossed 32 innings, struck out 42 and allowed one measly. Even that run wouldn’t have scored if not for a blown call by the second base umpire in the final game of the season.
Zilnicki was the leader of the Rams offense that won its sixth consecutive title. He posted Ty Cobb numbers in 41 games. The Riverhead native posted a slash line of .434/.552/.541 with 53 hits, five doubles, one triple, two home runs, 24 RBI, 29 walks while going 37/41 on stolen base attempts.
These two players entered college as polar opposites. McNamara was a highly-touted prospect from Moore Catholic high school who was destined to become the next great pitcher in Panther history, while Zilnicki was expected to compete with two others for playing time at third base.
To the credit of both of these players, they took nothing for granted and improved themselves as their collegiate careers progressed.
McNamara will most likely be selected in top-10 rounds of next week Rule IV draft and begin his professional career.
