Plattsburgh State Athletics

Former Plattsburgh State baseball standout Zack Welch will return to the dugout for his fourth season as the Cardinals' assistant coach in 2015.

One of the best baseball players Plattsburgh State has produced, Welch starred for the Cardinals from 2005-08. Serving as a four-year starter behind home plate, Welch helped the squad amass a 92-63 record during that span which featured four consecutive trips to the SUNYAC Championship Tournament.

In the batter’s box, the Merrill, N.Y., product emerged as a reliable producer of offense. He wrapped up his days at the collegiate level with a .341 batting average and a .409 on base percentage while driving in some 109 runs. Through his four-year career, Welch collected a program record 201 hits.

A three-time All-SUNYAC Second Team honoree, Welch was named a preseason All-American by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper in 2006.

After putting the wraps on his successful college career, Welch signed on with the Texarkana Gunslingers of the Continental Baseball League. That was the beginning of a four-year career in the independent leagues where he batted .294 in 535 plate appearances with a quartet of different teams.

His best season came in 2011 when he was with the Alpine Cowboys. In 51 games, he hit .336 and collected 26 RBIs en route to a Pecos League All-Star team selection.

From 2008-11, Welch served as an assistant coach for the Cardinals during his offseason. With his guidance, the squad enjoyed its first 30-win season in program history in 2010.

Having earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Plattsburgh State in 2008, he enrolled at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, where he completed his master’s of education degree in physical education in May of 2013. While pursuing his graduate degree, Welch served as the graduate assistant coach for the Lobos baseball squad.