Irvine Valley sophomore catcher Jimmy Zakhar has signed with NCAA Division I and Big West Conference champion UC Santa Barbara, according to Laser head coach Kent Madole.
Zakhar redshirted with the Lasers in 2023 and then played 19 games this past season. He batted .274 with 12 runs scored, three home runs and nine RBI.
He also had a .468 slugging percentage and .370 on base percentage.
Zakhar was just as good defensively. Known for receiving the ball well and his strong arm, he finished with a .983 fielding percentage, 99 putouts and threw out seven of the 16 runners trying to steal (.438 percent).
Zakhar played high school ball at Mission Viejo and was a three-year starter. He was named second team all-conference.
Zakhar hit .286 in high school with a .397 on base percentage and 27 RBI.
Before arriving at Irvine Valley, Zakhar spent one season at NCAA Division I Dayton University.
He is headed to a UCSB squad that has had a special season in 2024.
The team finished with a record of 42-14 overall, went 26-4 in conference and hosted an NCAA Division I Regional event last weekend.
