Bio

Zack Sterner enters his fifth season with the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs baseball program as an assistant coach, primarily serving as the team's pitching coach. 

In 2023, the pitching staff under Sterner's guidance accumulated 43 wins, including a program record of 29 Appalachian Athletic Conference (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 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

Sterner spent six seasons as a head coach at Roane State Community College prior to coming to Tennessee Wesleyan. Sterner graduated nearly 90% of his student-athletes and sent over 40 players to numerous four-year programs. One of his student-athlete was drafted in the 20th round by Major League Baseball's (MLB) Minnesota Twins, and two others went on to play professional baseball after leaving for a four-year school.

Prior to coaching, Sterner finished his professional baseball career with the River City Rascals of the Frontier League, winning the Frontier League Championship in 2010 and finishing second in the league in 2011. Sterner compiled a 3.22 ERA with a record of 15-4 and was named the starting pitcher for the West All-Stars in 2011.

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. He spent his freshman and sophomore years playing at Walters State Community College under Ken Campbell, Joey Seaver, and Dave Shelton. During Sterner’s first two years at Walters State, they went to the JUCO World Series in 2005 and won the JUCO World Series in 2006.

Sterner was drafted out of High School in 2004 by the New York Mets in the 38th round.

Sterner, originally from Franklin, Pennsylvania is married to the former Brittany Webb. They reside in Kingston, Tenn., with two boys Nolan and Redik, and a Chocolate Lab named Hank.