Six Eagles make four-year college commitments

RALEIGH, NC – Six former Wake Tech baseball standouts have announced their commitments to play at four-year college programs for the 2024 season.

Cole Zak has committed to Seton Hall University in New Jersey.  The Pirates are a member of the NCAA Division I Big East Conference.  Zak, sophomore outfielder from Cleveland, OH, appeared in 36 games in 2023.  He batted .355 and paced the Eagles with 44 hits, recorded a team high 32 RBI with nine doubles, and had 18 stolen bases.  Zak had 124 at bats with six home runs.  His .355 average was second highest for Wake Tech.  He also led the Eagles with .637 slugging percentage.

Cameron Verrier will continue his education and athletic career at Keiser University in Florida.  The Seahawks are a member of the NAIA Sun Conference.  Verrier, a versatile sophomore infielder from Benson, NC, played in 41 games this season.  He batted .307 with a team high seven home runs, was first with 12 doubles, and a team high 137 at bats.  In addition, he recorded 29 RBI, 18 stolen bases and 42 hits. Verrier is also the Wake Tech career leader in stolen bases with 48 and only thrown out four times. 

Vincent Merlo has committed to North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. The Cardinals are an NCAA Division III program in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.  Merlo, from Centennial, CO, was a catcher for the Eagles and appeared in 14 games in 2023.  He had a .263 batting average with five RBI.

Ick Cirino will continue his education and baseball career at Coker University in Hartsville, SC.  The Cobras are an NCAA Division II program in the South Atlantic Conference.  Cirino, from Harrisburg, NC, is a transfer from Hesston (KS) College.   He played in 45 games this season as a middle infielder. He hit .311 as a sophomore with 26 RBI, 34 stolen bases, 38 runs scored, and three homeruns.  His 34 stolen bases is also a Wake Tech single season record.  

Jaren Woodcock has committed to Bluefield University in Bluefield, WV.  The Rams are a member of the NAIA Appalachian Athletic Conference. Woodcock, from Charlotte, NC, appeared in six games this season on the mound for Wake Tech as primarily a relief pitcher.  In seven innings, he recorded nine strikeouts.

Kelan Polard will continue his education and athletic career at Doane University in Crete, Neb. The Tigers are a member of the NAIA Great Plains Athletic Conference. Polard, from St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, played in 30 games in his sophomore season with the Eagles. He hit .286 in 2023 with 12 RBI and 13 runs scored. In addition, he was a two-time NJCAA All-Academic Team member.