Vanguard University

The athlete:  Zachary comes back for his junior campaign after starting in 42 of his 43 games played as a sophomore in 2007…batted .292 with 45 hits, a homer, 19 RBIs and 28 runs scored…second on the team with nine steals in just 12 attempts and defensively led the squad with 131 assists…earned the starting shortstop position, playing in all but one game in 2006…started 42 games and was second on the team with 10 stolen bases…had 30 hits and scored 17 runs in his debut season…came to Vanguard from Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, California…2005 graduate who played for Coach Russell Conner at ORHS in the Sierra Valley League…was named All-Metro and All-League…team captain…led ORHS to the Sierra Valley League Championship…also played soccer in high school…has played baseball for 16 years…bats right…throws right…good size and strength…above average base runner…athletic and speedy…prototypical shortstop…gap to gap hitter with power.

The person:  Zachary Beau Leighton was born in Sacramento, California on August 5, 1986 to his parents Brian and Joanne Leighton…is the oldest of three children…his brother Tyson is also on the team…nickname is “Z-Beau”…is a Business Administration major at VUSC…loves to eat steak…favorite movie is “Gladiator” and TV show is “The Office”…roots for the Boston Red Sox…favorite Scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6…loves the color baby blue and the number seven…favorite actor is Christian Bale…enjoys wakeboarding, snowboarding, and mountain biking…his sports hero is Ty Cobb…most respects Jesus because He loved which is what is the most important characteristic for a person to have…learned in life that it’s all about love, let it be…baseball has taught him patience.

His thoughts:  What I like most about Vanguard is the community.

Coach Mallernee’s comments:  Zach is a good all-around baseball player that loves Jesus.