Former Panthers Make Opening Day Rosters

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Published on April 4 2013 4:46 pm
Last Updated on April 4 2013 4:46 pm
Written by Millie Lange

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Panther baseball program has eight former players who are either coaching or playing professionally this upcoming baseball season. EIU has been successful in the MLB Draft, having a total of 70 players drafted including 18 under current head coach Jim Schmitz.

Listed below are the current players and coaches who open the 2013 baseball season this week or in the upcoming months.

Brett Nommensen (2006-09) begins the season with the Montgomery Biscuits (Double A – Tampa Bay Rays) and will start the season on the disabled list. He hit .255 a year ago for the Biscuits with 25 RBI, 10 doubles and 19 runs in 50 games. The Biscuits open the 2013 campaign on April 4 at 7:05 p.m. against the Birmingham Barons.

Zach Borenstein (2009-11) begins the season with the Inland Empire 66ers (Advanced A – Los Angeles Angels). The squad opens the season on April 4, playing host to the Modesto Nuts at Manuel Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Borenstein posted a .274 batting average with 12 extra-base hits, 21 RBI and 31 runs with the Cedar Rapids Kernels last season.

Ryan Dineen (2010-12) starts the season with the Quad City River Bandits (Single A – Houston Astros) after playing with the Tri-City ValleyCats in 2012. He posted a .217 batting average with 23 RBI, 31 runs and six doubles last season. The River Bandits open the season at 6:30 p.m. on April 4 at Kan County.

Mike Recchia (2008-10) will start the season with the Windy City ThunderBolts (Independent) for the second consecutive season. Recchia, the Frontier League Pitcher of the Year, posted an 11-3 record and 2.51 ERA in 2012. He set league records with 177 strikeouts and five complete game shutouts. His six complete games overall were also a league best as were his 150.1 innings pitched. The ThunderBolts open their season on May 16 at the Schaumburg Boomers.

Matt Miller (2008-11) enters his third season with the Traverse City Beach Bums (Independent).
The Beach Bums open the 2013 season at the Joliet Slammers on May 17. The right handed relief pitcher had 12 saves last season with a 6-4 record in 41 appearances. He also had a 2.25 ERA with 38 strikeouts to only six walks in 64 innings of action.

Tim Bogar (1984-87) is the manager for the Arkansas Travelers (Double A - Los Angeles Angels). The Travelers open the season at home on April 4 at 7 p.m. against the Frisco RoughRiders. He is in his first year with the Travelers after spending four seasons with the Boston Red Sox (2009-12).

Andy Haines (2000) is the manager for the Jupiter Hammerheads (Advanced A – Miami Marlins) for the second consecutive season. The Hammerheads open the season at the St. Lucie Mets on Thursday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m.

Derek Johnson (1993) is currently the minor league pitching coordinator for the Chicago Cubs after working as the pitching coach and associate head coach at Vanderbilt for 12 seasons.