Sterner Announces Departure from Assistant Baseball Coaching Position
ATHENS, Tenn.- After five seasons as a member of the baseball coaching staff, assistant coach Zack Sterner has announced his resignation to spend more time with his family. Sterner served as the pitching coach for the program.
"I want to thank Coach Berry for the opportunity to continue my passion for baseball at an elite level and most importantly his mentorship he has given me not only as a baseball coach but also as a husband and a father. I am extremely grateful for that; it is time for me to focus on my family and give my sons the opportunity and passion for baseball as it has been a great path for me," stated Sterner.
During Sterner's tenure, the Bulldogs' pitching staff was a dominant force on the mound. He was instrumental in developing a pitching staff that helped lead the Bulldogs to three Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Regular Season Championships and three AAC Tournament Championships, as well as, four NAIA Opening Round Appearances and two Avista-NAIA World Series berths. Head Coach Billy Berry stated, "I'm extremely proud to have worked alongside Coach Sterner for the last five seasons. Not only was he a great player for the Bulldog program, but he came back and excelled as a coach to continue the winning tradition. I will miss him, but I'm also proud that he has made the decision based on his family. I wish the Sterner family all the best as they move forward."
In 2024, the Bulldogs' pitching staff had 44 wins, which included an 11-3 record in postseason games. Four pitchers finished the season with 60 or more strikeouts with the opponents batting .242 against the Bulldogs. The pitching staff was led by Blake Peyton, who was named the AAC Pitcher of the Year and a Second Team NAIA All-American. Peyton led the NAIA in strikeouts with 143 and finished the season with nine wins and one loss. So far, members Gage Vailes and Carter Gannaway of the pitching staff have signed contracts to pitch in the Frontier League.
In 2023, the pitching staff under Sterner's guidance accumulated 43 wins, including a program record of 29 AAC wins. Four pitchers finished the season with 60 or more strikeouts, led by Blake Peyton with 108. Peyton also led the staff with nine wins, the second most in the conference. Kyle Bloor was tied for first in the AAC in saves with seven while Carter Gannaway was third in the AAC with a 2.87 earned-run average (first on the team among pitchers with nine or more appearances). TWU led the AAC in strikeouts (508) and ERA (4.41). The team's number of strikeouts thrown was No. 6 in the NAIA.
In 2022, Sterner's pitching staff collected 56 wins in a season where the Bulldogs advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 Avista-NAIA Baseball World Series. Sterner coached two pitchers to NAIA All-American honors during the season: Kobe Foster (1st Team) and Liam Doolan (2nd Team). Six pitchers on Sterner's staff had 60 or more strikeouts during the season, including Foster's conference-leading 139 strikeouts. Foster was named the AAC Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season under Sterner's tutelage. Foster also led the AAC in wins (12) and earned-run average (ERA) (1.42). Pitchers Robert Gonzalez and Kyle Bloor finished tied for third in wins in the AAC with 10 each while Doolan led the AAC in saves with 10. The pitching staff was No. 1 in the conference in a number of categories including strikeouts (618), earned run average (216), and ERA (3.64) in 2022. Three pitchers from the 2022 pitching staff signed professional contracts.
In 2021, Sterner oversaw another successful pitching staff. Sterner led the staff to 53 wins with a combined 2.66 earned-run average (ERA) as a staff. His pitching staff was led by 2021 NAIA All-American First Teamer Kobe Foster, who finished the season 12-0 with a 1.83 ERA and a team-high 106 strikeouts in 88.1 innings. Two other starting pitchers finished with unblemished records: Robert Gonzalez (11-0) and Chris Koeiman (7-0). Sterner's pitching staff was No. 1 nationally in ERA, and No. 2 nationally in Opp. Batting Average (.208), and led the AAC in ERA, Opp. Batting Average, Total Strikeouts (509), Runs Allowed (166), Earned Runs Allowed (142), and Walks Allowed (143) while finishing second in Hits Allowed (363) through 479.2 innings.
Despite the 2020 season being cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sterner had the Tennessee Wesleyan pitching staff in good shape. Through 24 games, the Bulldog pitching staff was ranked 3rd overall in the AAC, owned a 3.92 ERA, and recorded 199 strikeouts in 179 innings. Under Sterner's leadership, pitchers Landon Walker and Brandon Mason put up impressive numbers. Walker had the lowest ERA (0.81) in the AAC among starting pitchers while Mason posted a 0.90 ERA on the season in six appearances, mainly as a closer, holding hitters to a .194 BA
During his time as pitching coach, Sterner saw seven pitchers sign professional contracts.
Sterner was drafted out of Tennessee Wesleyan by the Philadelphia Phillies organization in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB First-Year Players Draft. He played for three years in the Phillies organization reaching A+ (High A). During his stint with the Phillies, he compiled a 2.71 ERA and a record of 14-4. Sterner
As a student-athlete, Sterner spent one year at Tennessee Wesleyan College, finishing the season with an 11-2 pitching record and earning AAC Pitcher of the Year.
Sterner, originally from Franklin, Pennsylvania is married to the former Brittany Webb. They reside in Kingston, Tenn., with two boys Nolan and Redik.