The sophomore right-hander had a 9-3 record with a 1.52 ERA, eight complete games and three shutouts for Irvine Valley in 2015. He broke program records for a season for most innings pitched, ERA, complete games and shutouts.
Irvine Valley's baseball team made the CCCAA Super Regionals after beating LA Harbor in a single-game playoff-off and then sweeping two straight at No. 2-seed Oxnard. IVC did so behind pitchers Justin Zielinski and Ryan Abady.
Lucas Tancas, who led Irvine Valley in batting average, hits and runs last season, is having a solid season with the Willmar Stingers in the Northwoods League in Minnesota. Tancas helped IVC reach the Super Regionals in 2015.
The Lasers end up 12th in the state standings for two-year colleges. It is IVC's best-ever finish in the cup competition. Irvine Valley won state titles in women's volleyball, men's tennis and sand volleyball in 2014-15.
Former Irvine Valley outfielder David Stone helped Vanguard University make the NAIA World Series in May. Stone, who batted .263 for the Lions on the season, was named the Charles Berry Hustle Award winner at the series.
Sophomore pitcher Justin Zielinski set numerous records on the mound this past season, including those for innings pitched, ERA, complete games and shutouts. He was picked to 2015 All-Southern California Team for his efforts.
Irvine Valley's baseball coach Kent Madole honored several players, including sophomore pitcher Justin Zielinski with the prestigious "Iron I" Award at a recent banquet. IVC had a record of 23-18 and made the Super Regionals this year.
Irvine Valley freshman first baseman Lucas Tancas recently signed with the Dirtbags. He led the Lasers in a number of offensive categories this season and helped the team to a Super Regional Playoff appearance.
Irvine Valley runs into a top-seeded and tough Palomar squad on the road and falls in two-straight games in the Super Regional Saturday and Sunday at Palomar. IVC ends the year with a record of 23-18 overall.
Irvine Valley, which has won three straight playoff games and swept No. 2 Oxnard in a regional last weekend, travels to top-seeded and fifth-ranked in the nation Palomar for a CCCAA Super Regional series starting on Friday.
Sophomore pitcher Jusin Zielinski is named first team all-Orange Empire Conference and freshman pitcher Ryan Abady is picked as a second-team all-OEC player. The duo has helped IVC reach the Super Regionals this year.
A day after Ryan Abady throws a complete game shutout in the first regional playoff contest at Oxnard, Justin Zielinski blanks the Condors, 1-0, on Saturday to complete the sweep and send Irvine Valley on to the Super Regionals.
Freshman lefty Ryan Abady throws a complete game shutout and Brett Hamilton hits a grand slam and drives in five runs in Irvine Valley's 8-0 victory at No. 2 Oxnard in a CCCAA regional playoff opening game on Friday.
Irvine Valley trails early, but comes back for a 16-6 win in a playoff play-in game Tuesday at LA Mission. It is the team's second straight big, late-inning rally for a victory. IVC plays at Oxnard in a best of three regional starting Friday.
Irvine Valley gets its 20th win of the season and earns its first ever three-game season sweep of Santa Ana with a come-from-behind 7-6 road win Thursday. IVC finishes the regular season tied for fourth in Orange Empire Conference.
Freshman Ryan Abady throws his third complete game of the season in a 4-2 Irvine Valley victory over Santa Ana on Tuesday at IVC. He improves his record to 7-3 and gets the Lasers within one win of 20 games at 19-16 overall.
A day after beating Saddleback by a run, Irvine Valley loses, 12-2, to the Gauchos on Friday at Saddleback. The defeat moves IVC's record to 18-16 overall and 8-11 in conference. IVC has two key games with Santa Ana next week.
Irvine Valley moved into a tie for fifth place in the Orange Empire Conference standings with Saddleback after the 2-1 win on Thursday. Justin Zielinski throws another complete game and Trey Ryan comes up with the big hit for IVC.
Irvine Valley, which won the first two games over the Pirates, falls, 2-0, in the finale of the three-game series on Tuesday at IVC. Irvine Valley sits in sixth place in conference and has a key home game against Saddleback Thursday.
Irvine Valley earns a much-needed victory, beating Orange Coast, 8-6, in 11 innings on the road on Saturday. IVC improved to 17-14 overall and stayed in fifth place in the Orange Empire Conference with the win.
Irvine Valley out-hits Golden West and gets another strong start from sophomore pitcher Justin Zielinski, but falls to the Rustlers, 2-1, in an Orange Empire Conference game on Tuesday at home. Brett Hamilton has three hits for IVC.
Irvine Valley beats Pasadena City, 7-2, on Tuesday on the road and then rallies for a 6-3 win at home on Wednesday over the Lancers in the nonconference contests. IVC, with a 16-12 record, is back to OEC play next week.
Irvine Valley loses to the Chargers, 4-3, in 10 innings in an Orange Empire Conference game Friday at Cypress. IVC is paced by Lucas Tancas' three hits. The Lasers, 14-12 overall, will play Pasadena City in two games next week.
Irvine Valley battles, but falls, 3-2, to Cypress in an Orange Empire Conference game on Thursday at home. Sophomore ace pitcher Justin Zielinski suffers his first loss of the season. IVC plays at Cypress on Friday at 2 p.m.
Irvine Valley, which was shut out Saturday at Riverside, comes back with 12 hits, including a three-run homer by Brett Hamilton, and beats the Tigers, 9-4, in an Orange Empire Conference game on Tuesday at home.
Irvine Valley manages just three hits in a 5-0 loss to Riverside in an Orange Empire Conference game on Saturday at Riverside. The two teams have now split the first two games of their season series. IVC hosts RCC Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Sophomore pitcher Justin Zielinski throws his fourth complete game of the season in leading Irvine Valley to a 4-0 win over top-ranked Fullerton at home Thursday. Brett Hamilton, Clint Jack and Cory Mendoza each have two hits for IVC.
Sophomore right-hander Justin Zielinski is named the pitcher of the Week in Southern California by the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association. Zielinski earned a complete game win at Santa Ana last week.
Irvine Valley runs into Fullerton's ace and manages five hits in a 5-1 Orange Empire Conference loss on the road Tuesday. Sophomore Adam Vargas drives in Irvine Valley's run. IVC hosts Fullerton Thursday at 2 p.m.
Sophomore Justin Zielinski pitches his third complete game this season in a 2-1 Orange Empire Conference victory at Santa Ana Thursday afternoon. Freshman Robbie Espinosa contributes two big hits and one RBI for the Lasers.