Howard Payne University Yellow Jackets

BROWNWOOD, Texas – Howard Payne freshman standout has gotten an honor to play with the Brazos Valley Bombers of the Texas Collegiate League (TCL). He is one of three American Southwest Conference players to play in the league this summer (Mississippi College catcher Paige Hodges and Hardin-Simmons outfielder Andrew Rehling).

Taylor Zambreski last season had an impressive freshman season for the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets earning him American Southwest Conference West Division Freshman of the Year honors. Zambreski led the Jackets with a .411 batting average and added five home runs. Zambreski is the first Howard Payne player to play in the league.

“I am pretty excited about it and it is a great opportunity,” said Taylor Zambreski. “They have been welcoming and real nice.”

After joining the Bombers past the mid-way point of the TCL season, Zambreski went 2 of 4 and scored 2 runs in his first start for Brazos Valley. The Bombers are currently second in the TCL standings (15-16 overall) and are positioned to make a bid for the league championship. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Taylor,” said Stephen Lynn, Howard Payne head baseball coach. “This will allow Taylor to compete with some of the best Division I baseball players from around the country. Taylor is the first player from our program to compete in the TCL and I am very proud of Taylor for this accomplishment. We wish him the best of luck.”

The Texas Collegiate League exists to provide the best summer league experience for the best professional prospects from colleges throughout the country. The league allows those players with eligibility remaining to showcase and improve their skills in a wholesome, minor league-type atmosphere using wooden bats. The league plans future expansion in the upcoming years as it continues its quest to become one of the premier summer collegiate leagues in the United States.