Chapman slugger Henry Zeisler transfers universities for Division I program

After a successful career playing baseball for the Panthers, Henry Zeisler takes his last year of eligibility to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in pursuit of a professional career. Photo courtesy of Henry Zeisler

Chapman slugger Henry “Hank” Zeisler will be taking his last year of college eligibility to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). After four years of being one of the best hitters in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), a canceled season over the pandemic gifted Zeisler another year of eligibility. With that opportunity, he will transfer to UNLV in the hopes of helping his professional aspirations. 

“I loved my four years at Chapman, but I’m ready to try something new,” said Zeisler. I’m  looking forward to getting a taste of Division I baseball,” Zeisler said. 

Born and raised in Kentfield, California, the story of Zeisler’s career at Chapman has all the makings of an inspirational sports movie. The freshman walk-on became a national champion his sophomore year, winning the Division III National Championship Most Outstanding Player Award. 

When 2020 came around, he picked up where he left off by hitting .480 — including a two Grand Slam game — in 15 games before the pandemic. He continued the heroics his senior year, hitting five homers with a .375 average in 21 games last spring. 

Scott Laverty, head coach of the baseball team, feels Zeisler’s influence on the team’s success has been invaluable.

“People gravitated towards him because of his work ethic and contagious attitude,” Laverty said. “He was gifted at mentoring the younger guys. That’s a big piece in what you want out of your leaders, so that when they move on, they can pass the torch to someone else on the team — that’s a true leader.” 

Even after all of his success at Chapman, Zeisler feels there is more baseball in his future — just somewhere else.

With two summers of experience playing top competition in a collegiate league in Wisconsin, Zeisler is eager to prove himself against the nation’s best in Division I baseball. 

“It was eye opening playing (in Wisconsin),” Zeisler said. “I was coming off a strong spring at Chapman, and I was able to put up good numbers against some of the best arms in college baseball. Those summers confirmed everything I was already thinking about my future in baseball.”

Playing baseball at the professional level is Zeisler’s true goal. He hopes playing for UNLV will get him closer to realizing his dream. 

“Being at a Division I school, you get a lot more exposure. Chapman has great connections, but it is especially hard for hitters to make it professionally out of Division III programs,” he said. 

Zeisler isn’t the only Panther slugger moving on to use their extra year of eligibility at a Division I program. After an incomplete 2020-2021 season, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is giving players like Zeisler across the country the opportunity to play another year. Kyle Joy, another standout hitter and a senior business administration major, will be taking his talents to Wake Forest University in North Carolina. 

“I think it’s really awesome (Zeisler and Joy) both have this opportunity to spread their wings at the next level,” Laverty said. “They both have professional aspirations, so if they can go up there and see a little better pitching and have success, then maybe a pro team can take a chance on them.”

Even though the Panther baseball team is losing two of their strongest hitters, Laverty believes the team is in a great position to repeat their success in 2019.

“We’re getting ready for another championship run — that’s what we play for,” Laverty said. “We have the team to do it again, especially our pitching. We have a lot of talented guys coming back.”