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Warwick’s Shank to Play for Barnstormers

Warwick High School product Zach Shank has signed a contract with the Lancaster Barnstormers for the 2019 season, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.

Signing with his hometown Barnstormers rekindles a baseball career that infielder/outfielder from Lititz left, retiring from the Seattle Mariners organization last May.

The two-time Lancaster-Lebanon League All-Star signed with Seattle as the Mariners’ 28^th round draft pick in 2013.  After putting together a strong season at the Class A level in 2014 (.281 – 10 HR – 56 RBI), Shank reached Class AAA Tacoma by the middle of 2015.  He also split the 2016 season between Class AA Jackson and Tacoma before spending all of 2017 in Tacoma.

Last year, after undergoing treatment for an injury in spring training, he was assigned to Class AA Arkansas.  After appearing in only six games for the Travelers, he left the Mariners organization.

In his 518 career minor league games, the right-handed hitter has batted .259.  Shank has played every position except catcher with the most time spent at second and third bases.

Following his successful four-year career at Warwick, Shank headed to D-I Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.  While there, the education major hit .307 over his four years, including .370 as a senior.

“Zach is very versatile, and we will probably play him all over the field,” said Peeples.  “He is a guy that has a great work ethic and plays the game the right way.  You don’t have to worry about him putting the work in.”

“I am looking forward to the challenge of a very competitive league.” said Shank.  “I have heard nothing but positive feedback from players who have been here in the past. I’m also excited to play in the stadium I watched games in as a kid.”

Shank is the eighth player under contract with the Barnstormers in 2019.  The opener of the club’s 15^th second is scheduled for Friday, April 26 against the High Point Rockers.