On December 19, Allderdice Baseball standouts Zack Shook and Landon Blank each signed their letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers in college.

RHP (Right Handed Pitcher) Zack Shook (4.08 GPA) is committed to Denison University, planning to major in data analytics. Zack entered high school as an infielder but switched to pitcher in his freshman year. Zack had interest in Kenyon College, College of Wooster, and Allegheny College, but chose Dennison because of their “data analytics program and top 5 baseball team.”

INF (Infield) Landon Blank (4.6 GPA) is committed to Juniata College, majoring in exercise science and kinesiology. Blank, who tore his labrum in his throwing arm, needed SLAP tear repair surgery in July but is hoping to be cleared in time for his senior year campaign. Landon had interest from several D1 schools, but when his recruiting process was halted, he immediately started looking at Juniata because “the coaching staff is great,” he said in an interview. “It is a beautiful campus and has a top exercise science/kinesiology program among small schools.”

Zack and Landon, close friends since freshman year, signed together after years of working hard and getting better together. When first-year head coach John Miller was interviewed about their work ethic, he said, “I was a scout for the Baltimore Orioles; high-level baseball, so I recognize talent. Zack, as a pitcher… he throws mid-80s, and you know, the team struggled in the spring, went like 3-13, so it's hard to be motivated. But they (Zack and Landon) were both very motivated.”

Coach Miller also complimented Blank's quick hands; “That’s thousands of hours of taking ground balls to have hands that good.”

Allderdice Principal Dr. McCoy praised Shook during his signing day: “You (Zack) always do things the right way, which is why I know schools wanted to take a chance on you.” In a later interview with McCoy, he said, “To be honest with you, you hear the last name, and I knew they were a strong family academically, and with either of them, anytime I ask their teachers about them, it's all great things. Inside the classroom or outside the classroom, they’ve represented Allderdice well amongst the last 4 years.”

Coach Miller has a lot of confidence in Landon. “Only about 34,000 high schoolers will play in college, and only a third of those might actually touch the field. I believe Landon will end up in that third and become a starter early on in his college career.”

Former head coach Bradley Hoffer said, “These 2 young men are great baseball players. It was my privilege to be around them.”

Shook made the 6A All-Section team, topping at 88 miles per hour while leading the team in Innings Pitched all 3 years. He also led the team in batting average last year with a .357 average.

Blank was not too far behind: In his junior year, he hit .324 while being the Dragons starting shortstop. He made just 2 errors all year, giving him a fielding percentage of .967.

Teammates and colleagues of the two described their work ethic as “Mamba Mentality.” A mentality defined by basketball legend Kobe Bryant as “focusing on the process and trusting in the hard work when it matters most.”

Before the two go to their respective colleges, the Dragons season begins in March, where they will play a schedule full of WPIAL 5A games and compete in the city league for a state playoff bid.