Recent Salisbury High School graduate Jake Zellin put a stamp on an illustrious and busy high school sports career this past spring in his final season as a Falcons student-athlete.

In a District 11 3A baseball semifinal, Zellin sent his team to the championship game in dramatic fashion with a walk-off grand slam.

Zellin played basketball, baseball and golf all four years of high school, and added soccer his senior year when he competed in two sports during the fall season.

Basketball, baseball and soccer were the first sports he started playing in youth leagues, but basketball and baseball are two that stuck with him throughout the years. Zellin likes them both equally.

He, along with good friend, classmate and teammate in multiple sports Thomas Lovelidge, were voted this year’s Salisbury Press co-Male Athletes of the Year.

“My senior year was the best year I had during my four years at Salisbury,” said Zellin. “I scored a goal in soccer in my first year playing at the high school level. I led the team in scoring in basketball and made the all-star game. I made districts in golf. In baseball, I hit a walk-off grand slam in a district playoff game and the team made leagues. We made playoffs in soccer, baseball and basketball and improved our overall record for all those sports.”

The Falcons boys basketball team finished 14-10 overall and 12-8 in the Colonial League and qualified for both the league and district tournaments. Zellin averaged about nine points per game and connected on 38 three-pointers. He was named to the All-Colonial League Second Team.

“We had a core group of seniors who played together since elementary school for SYA,” Zellin said. “We had good chemistry going into the season. I knew we would have a good season. We beat teams this past season that we couldn’t beat the last few years. Coach Weaver expected a lot from us, and I think the team delivered.

“Last year we went 5-15, this year we went 14-8. We more than doubled our wins. There is a good group of underclassmen on that team who I think will continue to succeed and make the basketball program go in the right direction. Overall, it was a good season and I’m happy with how we did. We qualified for both leagues and districts, but I guess my one regret is we didn’t get past the first round of either. It would have been nice to experience a playoff victory.”

Head coach Jason Weaver reflected on his time coaching Zellin.

“Jake is a motivated and focused leader and was a team captain,” said Weaver. “He is willing to speak up and his communication skills are outstanding. His work ethic and desire to improve helped him develop into an all-league player.”

Salisbury baseball was 19-7 and 14-6 in league play, making it to the Colonial League semifinals as the third seed. The Falxons went on to the District 11 Class 3A playoffs and finished as runner-up, advancing to states. Zellin hit .278 with career-highs of 16 RBIs and 11 runs scored. On the mound, he had a 2.33 ERA.

“This season was a great season for all of us as a team and an awesome way to end our high school baseball career for the seniors,” said Zellin. “Again, we had a lot of kids who had been playing together since SYA youth league. Over the years when moving up in levels, we get new additions who just gelled and loved to play ball.

“Coach Aungst pushed us in every practice because I believe he saw something in this team that we could go somewhere, and we did. This season, we had the most wins in baseball in the last few years. We were like a comeback team. We were down late in several games during the season and guys stepped up and were clutch when we needed to be. It was such a fun season and a great experience to get a district playoff victory, especially how we won it. It was sad that we lost in the final against Saucon Valley and again in the state playoff. But that’s baseball and that’s why we love to play it. I think this was my favorite season in my high school career.”

Head coach Justin Aungst had high remarks for his experience in coaching Zellin.

“Jake was a key part of our program throughout his career,” said Aungst. “He brought tons of energy and fun to the team. This season, Jake anchored right field for us and came up with numerous huge hits including the walk off grand slam in district semifinals.”

Beginning this fall, Zellin will be attending the University of Kentucky and majoring in business and economics. He is not planning on playing a sport, but once he is settled in and has a handle on classes and college life, he may look into intramural sports. Before that, he will continue to look back at all of the memories he had at Salisbury.

“I had a great experience as a student-athlete at Salisbury. It meant a lot to me,” Zellin said. “Since Salisbury is a small school, I was able to play more than one sport, which always kept me busy all year round. This is the first summer since I can remember that I have a summer of not doing anything. I’ll miss my teammates and the crowd cheering us on. I wish the best of luck to the current student-athletes at Salisbury.”