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TACOMA, Wash. - Throughout the rest of the semester, GoLutes.com will profile the Pacific Lutheran University senior student-athletes involved in spring sports that had their seasons cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today's installment features PLU baseball student-athlete Dominick Zombik.
 

Hometown: Puyallup, Wash.

Career Highlights: Games Played: 34 Games Started: 26 Team Record: 30-25

Dominick Zombik made the most of his two-year stint at PLU, establishing himself as one of the best catchers in the Northwest Conference.

A Puyallup, Washington native and a graduate of Emerald Ridge High School, Zombik decided to attend Tacoma Community College for two seasons before making the jump to PLU. The strategic communications major made an immediate impact upon transferring to Pacific Lutheran, appearing in 22 games last season, making 15 starts for a team that qualified for the Northwest Conference Tournament for the fifth consecutive season.

The 2020 campaign was shaping up to be Zombik's best yet, with the catcher boasting a .257 batting average with seven RBIs and three extra base hits in 12 games. Named NWC Hitter of the Week on Feb. 17, Zombik drove in four runs in the Lutes' 9-6 win over Pacific University. The Puyallup native additionally led the Lutes in putouts, racking up 84 in the pandemic shortened season.

The righthander played in 34 games as a Lute, making 26 starts with a .211 career batting average. Zombik drove in 12 career RBIs and scored nine runs. All told, Zombik suited up in 84 collegiate baseball games between his stints at TCC and PLU.

"Dominick was a kid we tried to recruit out of high school and we were fortunate enough to pick him up after a two-year stint at the JC level," said Head Coach Nolan Soete. "He was one of the better defensive catchers in the Northwest Conference during his time at PLU. He was our everyday catcher this year and was having a great senior campaign. Dominick is a tough-minded teammate and fierce competitor, these characteristics made him a joy to coach."

While now a graduate with a strategic communications major and a minor in marketing, Zombik was initially unsure of the path he wanted to take at PLU before talking with his advisor.

"Coming from TCC into PLU I was still not sure what I wanted to pursue after college. I met with a counselor and she helped me realize that Marketing is what I wanted to pursue. I decided to get my Strat Comm major with a Marketing Minor because I felt that gave me some leeway if I did not end up getting attached to the Marketing field."

The lessons learned on the diamond has equipped Zombik with the tools to succeed in the professional world.