On Friday afternoon, Roanoke College Director of Athletics Scott Allison announced that Zach Ullrich is being named head baseball coach. Ullrich returns to Salem where he served on Coach Matt McGuire's staff that led the Maroons to its first ODAC Championship, an NCAA South Regional Championship and a Final Four finish at the NCAA Division III World Series. He will assume the top spot for the baseball program on January 4, 2021.
Allison on the hiring of Ullrich. "Our baseball program is in good hands with Zach Ullrich. His recruiting background at Dickinson, Roanoke, and now Barton, has prepared him well for this opportunity. Zach's ready."
Ullrich returns to Roanoke after a two-year stint at Barton College, NCAA DII, in Wilson, N.C. While with the Bulldogs, Zach was the top assistant, serving as the pitching and head developmental coach. In the 2018-19 season, Ullrich led the Bulldogs to their most strikeouts (421) in school history while the team ERA dropped from 7.35 to 5.54. That year would see Barton's win total go from 12 to 31, the most in NCAA DIII that season. In addition, the opponents' batting average fell from .319 to .287 while five players earned Conference Carolinas Pitcher-of-the-Week honors. Colby Shimmel was named a national pitcher of the week after throwing a no-hitter and Dylan Ward broke the school's career strikeout mark under Ullrich's tutelage.
"I want to thank Scott Allison and the administration for the opportunity to come back (to Roanoke) and coach." Ullrich continued, "This is a very special place to me and I am looking forward to taking over the reins and getting to work."
In 2016, Ullrich came to Salem after five years as an assistant at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. In his first two seasons at Dickinson, Ullrich served as the pitching coach where he assisted in daily practices, player evaluation, community involvement and in-game management of the pitching staff. Ullrich was also named the Recruiting Coordinator for the Red Devils in 2013, where he was the point of contact for prospective student athletes. He also helped with player analysis and development both in the classroom and on the field. Under his leadership, the Dickinson pitching staff was ranked nationally in ERA, strikeouts per game, and WHIP in 2013 while breaking multiple school records. He coached two All-Region and five All-Centennial Conference selections.
In addition to his duties at Dickinson, Ullrich served as the pitching coordinator for the Keystone Nationals, based in Mechanicsburg, Pa. During his time with the Nationals, he organized practices and workouts for pitchers ages 6-18 while focusing on teaching proper mechanics, approach and strength.
Ullrich graduated from Mansfield University in 2011 with a degree in history and a minor in psychology. He pitched at Mansfield from 2006-2010, highlighted by a NCAA Tournament Appearance in 2010. As a student-athlete at Mansfield, Ullrich worked sporting events for football, field hockey, basketball, soccer and swimming. He also coached summer camps and rebuilt baseball fields in the Mansfield, Pa. community. In May of 2019, Ullrich received his master's degree in athletic administration and coaching from Liberty University.