Montague, MI – It was an unassuming spring day on May 26, 2005, when Zac Jancek, then a sophomore at Montague High School, made an indelible mark on Michigan high school baseball history. Called up to varsity as a 10th grader, Jancek’s batting average was modest, sitting under .300, and he had yet to hit a home run. However, during a late-season doubleheader against Hesperia, Jancek achieved something extraordinary: he hit three grand slams in a single game.
An Unlikely Hero
To say Jancek was an unlikely candidate for this achievement would be an understatement. As he stepped to the plate in the fourth inning, with the bases loaded, little did anyone expect what was about to unfold. Jancek launched the first home run of his varsity career, savoring every step around the bases. But the day was far from over.
In his fifth-inning at-bat, again with the bases loaded, Jancek hit what he thought was a pop fly but the ball sailed over, marking his second grand slam of the game.
By the time Jancek came to bat in the sixth inning, the bases were loaded yet again. This time, with a 3-0 count, he looked down at his coach, silently pleading to let him swing. The coach, seeing the determination in his young player’s eyes, granted the green light. Jancek swung, sending the ball over the fence for his third grand slam of the game.
Day for the Record Books
This incredible performance not only highlighted Jancek’s talent but also etched his name in the MHSAA history books. To cap off his record-breaking day, Jancek also hit a triple and a double, racking up an astonishing 15 RBIs in a 5-for-5 performance. His triple, he noted, narrowly missed being a fourth home run, as it hit the yellow tubing on top of the fence and bounced back into play.
Jancek’s achievement remains a remarkable chapter in Michigan high school sports lore, a testament to the unexpected moments of brilliance that sports can bring. His story is a reminder of the magic that can happen on the field, even from the most unlikely of heroes.
