Edgewood senior Zach Popely was sure he had his life after high school planned out.
He would go to college, presumably the University of Akron, to pursue a career in optometry.
But, as often happens in life, things changed.
For Popely, they changed in the form of an outstnading senior season on the diamond in which he hit .400 and was part of a 16-win Warriors squad, which helped allow him to continue his career at the collegiate level at Lakeland Community College.
“I didn’t think I’d have as good of a year as I did so I didn’t think I’d get any looks,” Popely admitted. “I guess I got lucky. It was just my senior year and I wanted to end it with a bang so I worked extra hard.”
That hard work paid off as Popely was consistently a solid defensive player at second base for Warriors first-year coach Bill Lipps.
He also was a consistent table setter in the No. 2 spot in the lineup, getting on base for RBI machines Jeff Imbrogno (2012 Star Beacon Co-Ashtabula County Player of the Year) and Bobby Dragon (2011 Ashtabula County Player of the Year), who is also headed to LCC.
Popely felt LCC was a good fit for him for a variety of reasons.
First off from an education standpoint (he said he’ll start as a natural science major), then from a baseball perspective and also because of some of the other area players who will be joining him next season.
Longtime teammate and friend Dragon will also be going to Lakeland as will Geneva’s Derek Rose, also a friend of the Warrior second baseman.
“It’s a good starting school for me, not only for baseball but for academics, too,” he said. “I’ll be able to get my feet wet in college then transfer to a university.
“Then some of my best buds are going there too so I think we’re going to have a lot of fun. I’m excited to get to play with some of my friends.”
While Dragon had said he intended to transfer to a Division I school to continue playing once he’s done at Lakeland, Popely said that would be nice, but it isn’t his main focus.
“I mean, whatever happens, happens,” he said. “If I work hard I think I can get there, but I’m more focused on academics and pursuing my career after I’m done with baseball.”
Popely said he’s open to playing where the team needs him, but he’ll likely continue to be a second baseman.
Beyond that, he was told that if he works hard he’ll see time early on.
“The coach just said to work real hard and I’ll get a starting spot or a chance to play,” he said. “If I work hard I’ll get it
“I’m just looking to continue my love of the game and have fun with it. It’ll be a good experience while doing school.”
The son of John and Beth Popely said his parents were helpful in helping make the decision from being just a college student to a student athlete.
“They really encouraged me, whether it was playing baseball or just going straight to Akron,” he said. “They helped convince me that playing baseball was a good decision for me because it’s better financially and it is a good school.”
In addition to helping him make a college choice, Popely said his father was also the most helpful person in his baseball career.
It’s likely he’ll continue to be a strong resource for the former Warrior as John also played in college at Edinboro and knows the rigors that go with college and sports.
“The person that was most helpful with me in baseball was my dad,” he said. “With playing at Edinboro, the experience he has, he taught me what to do and not to do. He taught me everything I know.
“I mean, with playing in college, he’s already told me a lot about splitting time up and stuff like that. It’ll be tough but I can get it.”
While the transition will be difficult, Popely said having some friends along for the ride will ease that difficulty.
“I think it’ll be great to be together,” he said. “We can help each other out with school and sports and really everything. It’ll just be good to have those guys around.”
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