FROM D-III TO MLB

Zach Lutz's unique journey took him from Alvernia to Queens

- KYLE BANDUJO

Home is where the heart is, they say. In the case of Zach Lutz, that adage was true.

In 2004, Lutz was the senior third baseman for Governor Mifflin High outside Reading, Pa., when he had to decide between prominent Division I programs such as Notre Dame, South Carolina and Stanford—and their state-of-the-art facilities and annual Omaha aspirations—or staying home to attend Division III Alvernia.

Alvernia had gone a respectable 27-17 in 2004, but the real draw was that it was coached by Zach's father Yogi. “My mind was always set on going to play for my dad,” Zach Lutz said. “That's what I had my trust in. He knew my swing better than anybody.”

As an Alvernia freshman, Lutz teamed with fellow future big leaguer Anthony Recker to lead the club to a 41-6 record. He played both ways, hitting .423 and carrying a 9-0 record and 3.32 ERA on the mound.