Zach Hand and the Buccaneers begin practice on Feb. 1.

BRANFORD — He plays baseball year-round, has started on Branford’s varsity team since he was in seventh grade, and will lead the Buccaneers again this season as a senior.

Zach Hand has put in the work. Now, he’s earned the opportunity to play at the next level. Hand has committed to play baseball at Santa Fe College.

“A lot of stress off my chest,” Hand said. “It’s time to relax and have some fun my senior year and hopefully go after the ring.”

Hand, a strong defensive catcher, has also been Branford’s best hitter the past three seasons. He’s batted .371 the past three years while hitting for power. Hand had nine extra-base hits last season and drove in nine runs in 19 games.   

“He’s very deserving of a scholarship,” said BHS baseball coach Alex O’Quinn. “He’s very good defensively, in-tune with the game, and works well with his pitchers. He’s going to help us a lot this year.”

Hand will play college baseball for a coach he’s very familiar with at Santa Fe. He met head baseball coach Johnny Wiggs 11 years ago at a baseball camp.  

“He was our pitching instructor and asked me if I could catch some of his bullpens while he taught the kids,” Hand said. “I’ve known him ever since. He’s a phenomenal coach — very fun to be around.”

The senior catcher said playing for his travel team — Gatorball Baseball Academy — has helped prepare him for college.

“Last year, we went to Nashville, Tennessee to Georgia on a big bus,” he said. “You’re with your teammates 24-7. It shows you how college is going to be. It’s a lot of fun.”