AS A JUNIOR IN 2013: Started 21 of the 27 games he played in as a junior ... Racked up a career-high 19 hits over the course of the season in 79 at bats for an average of .241 ... Drove in double-digit runs for the first time in his Nittany Lion career with 10 ... Turned in a perfect 1.000 fielding perecentage with 52 putouts and three assists ... Recorded his first hit of the season against Univeristy of Texas-San Antonio on March 2 ... Went an impressive 4-for-9 in the three-game series against Houston Baptist over spring break, scoring a run and picking up his first RBI of the season on March 8 and 9 ... Posted two hits in four at bats in game two of a doubleheader at Temple on March 17 ... Notched his first hit in Big Ten play of the season and added a walk against Purdue on March 29 ... Had a career day at Ohio State on April 27, going 2-for-4, including his first home run of his career, scoring two runs and driving in two ... Picked up his first double of the season to plate two runs at Minnesota on May 3 ... Hit a double and one RBI and one run at Illinois on May 11 ... Went 2-for-4 with an RBI on May 16 against Michigan State ... Posted a hit and a walk, while scoring a run and driving in two versus Michigan State on May 17 ... Closed the season with a hit in the finale against Michigan State on May 18.
AS A SOPHOMORE IN 2012: Appeared in 26 games with 22 starts, collecting 11 runs, 16 hits and eight RBIs ... One of three Lions to play more than 25 games without a single error ... Recorded his first run, hit and double of the season at West Virginia on Feb. 18 ... Earned a season-best three RBIs against UNC-Greensboro on Feb. 24, including a two-run single ... Had an excellent series against Samford from March 3-5, collecting two runs, three hits and an RBI ... Followed up with one run and two hits in the Mississippi State series on March 6 and 7 ... Scored two runs in two consecutive games against East Carolina on March 17 and 18 ... Scored a run against Indiana on March 24 and against Purdue on March 30 ... Delivered a walk-off double with two outs to give the Lions a 4-3 win over Canisius on April 8 ... Went 3-for-4 in the contest with two RBIs and a run ... Stole the first base of his career on April 29 against Ohio State.
AS A FRESHMAN IN 2011: Appeared in 15 games with five starts as a freshman ... Made his collegiate debut against Eastern Kentucky on February 26 and recorded a putout during his time in the outfield ... Recorded his first career hit after lining a single back up the middle as a pinch hitter against Le Moyne on March 27 ... Scored his first career run one week later following an outstanding at bat against Illinois on April 3 ... Had his finest offensive performance against Pittsburgh on May 11 after going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored ... Also drew one of his four walks during the season against the Panthers.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned three letters as a member of the Holy Redeemer baseball team ... Served as captain during his senior season and led the squad to the 2010 District II finals ... Selected as Under Armor Preseason All-American during senior campaign ... Selected and played for Under Armor Southwest Regional Team ... Named to Citizen[apos]s Voice All-Star squad ... Posted a .390 batting average during his senior year ... Earned the Holy Redeemer Male Athlete of the Year Award ... Also competed for the Plains American Legion team ... Selected to the East / West Showcase Game in 2009 and 2010 while earning the MVP honors in 2009 ... Received the team[apos]s MVP award after hitting .517 in 2009 and the squad[apos]s Hitter[apos]s Award in 2010 after recording a .432 batting average with six home runs ... Also a two-year letterwinner in basketball.
PERSONAL: Full name is Zachary Ell ... Born on January 17, 1992 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ... Parents are Robert and Babette Ell ... Has three younger siblings, Dalton, Greta and Tucker ... Majoring in agriculture business.