Charleston, Ill.- The Eastern Illinois baseball team and Head Coach Jason Anderson have announced the addition of seven new members that will join the program for the 2020 season. The Panthers will bring in two junior college transfers as well as five high school commits. EIU added three impact arms to their pitching staff in Jason Jennerjohn, Jalen Cardinal, and Trevor Nicholson. Coble Crim, Sean Lynch, Ben Snapp, and Talon File look to bring more speed and power to the EIU lineup.

"We are very pleased to announce the new additions to the baseball team for the 2020 season" said Coach Anderson. "We have made a lot of progress with the program over the last few years which has put us in a position to search for the type of players that would compete for a conference championship in the OVC on a consistent basis.  This group of players, combined with the young players already in the program, will be exciting to watch on the field and continue to represent EIU in the highest regards off the field as well. Coach Godinez and our staff have done a tremendous job in identifying prospects and showing them everything our university has to offer." 
 

Colbe Crim
Crim is an outfielder and left-handed pitcher that attends Paducah Tilghman High School where he has been named an academic all-state honorable mention in each of his four years. He was voted to the Paducah All-Purchase team in each of his first three years of high school while also being selected to the All-Region team. At Paducah Tilghman, Crim is coached by Chris Johnson and Greg McKeel. During the summer, he plays for the Kentucky Prospects coached by Trumaine Donald.

---Coach Anderson Says--- "Colbe is a two way player that really impressed us with his physicality as a left handed pitcher and hitter.  He is also a successful football player that brings a great mentality to the baseball field.  Colbe instantly shot up to the top of our recruiting board when we saw him at our showcase in February.  He is going to thrive in the conference as he develops as a hitter and pitcher."



Jason Jennerjohn
Jennerjohn is a right-handed pitcher from Hortonville High School where as a junior he threw 36.1 innings while posting a 2.89 ERA and striking out 44 batters. In the spring of 2018, Jennerjohn was a unanimous selection for First Team All-Conference in the Fox Valley Association. At Hortinville, Jennerjohn is coached by Greg Yeager.  

---Coach Anderson Says---"We committed Jason early in the process after he displayed a great mix of pitches. He has a nice fastball that is complimented by a good slider and changeup. He is also coming from a great organization in the Wisconsin Panthers that has already brought Grant Emme to EIU. Jason will fit in to our program perfectly with his athleticism and competitiveness on the mound." 

Sean Lynch
Lynch is an outfielder from Carmel Catholic High School in Illinois where he has been awarded with the IHSA Scholastic Academic Achievement award. At Carmel Catholic, Lynch plays for Coach Bill Taylor who is an EIU baseball alum. During the summer, He plays for Slammers Baseball where he is coached by Frank Berry, Matt Pitzulo, Ed Tolzien and Gary Bennett.

---Coach Anderson Says--- "Sean is another very physical athlete that we are excited about. He has a unique combination of strength and speed that should develop into an impact player in this league. He is also an exceptional football player that will bring a tough mentality into the program. Sean possesses the ability to win a game in a lot of different ways on offense and defense."





Benn Snapp
Snapp is a catcher who attends Madison Central High School in Richmond, Kentucky.  Ben has been a 3-year starter in both baseball and football. He has seen time throughout his high school career behind the plate and around the infield. As a junior, Snapp hit .355 while leading his team with 45 RBI's and 5 triples. He was named to the Region 11 All-Tournament Team while helping his team advance to the state tournament. Snapp was named to the Kentucky East/West All Star Team each of the past two years as well. Snapp is coached by Steve Roof at Madison Central and by David Rice in the summer for Elite Baseball Club. 

---Coach Anderson Says--- "Ben fits the mold of what we are looking for in a high school baseball player. He has excelled on both the football and baseball diamond as a two sport athlete. He displays a combination of skills that are going to make him an exciting multidimensional player during his time at EIU. He is an outstanding catcher with a great arm that can run and hit for power. Ben will also bring great communication and leadership to a pitching staff when he is behind the plate." 


Jalen Cardinal
Cardinal is a left-handed pitcher that attends Vincennes Lincoln High School in Vincennes, Indiana. As a freshman, Cardinal started on the mound but missed his sophomore year due to an injury. He bounced back to have a solid junior year and will be a big piece for them this upcoming season. During the past 2 summers, Cardinal pitched for Demand Command based out of Bedford, Indiana. They are coached by Jim Wells and Zach McClellan.  

---Coach Anderson Says---"Jalen is a presence on the mound, standing at 6 feet 5 inches tall.  We were really impressed with Jalen this summer. He shows a different look for hitters while locating his fastball to both sides of the plate. Jalen also has great athleticism for his size and will develop into a unique left-handed pitcher that we have not seen at EIU in a while. We are excited to add his size and pitching ability to our pitching staff." 




Trevor Nicholson
Nicholson is a left-handed pitcher for Rend Lake College. As a freshman, he lead his team in innings pitched with 73.2 while striking out 74 batters and walking only 18, earning a 3.05 ERA. At Rend Lake, Nicholson is coached by Tyler O'Daniel.  

---Coach Anderson Says--- "Trevor is going to be a force on our pitching staff and in the league. He displays everything I look for in a pitcher and has a history of success to back it up. He is blessed with a great arm and a bulldog mentality on the mound. Trevor also has an advanced feel for pitching that will give him a chance to have immediate success at the D1 level." 





Talon File
File is an infielder that plays for Lincoln Land College in Springfield, Illinois. As a freshman, he started in 56 game. File hit .278 in 194 at bats while collecting 54 hits, 13 doubles, 2 triples and leading his team with 10 home runs and 48 RBI's. File was awarded with the MWAC Academic All-Conference award. He plays for Ron Riggle at Lincoln Land College.

---Coach Anderson Says--- "Talon is fun to watch and is an absolute gamer.  We have followed him since the first time we saw him as a freshman at Lincoln Land and he has never disappointed. He has great combination of athleticism and a strong swing. He has the ability to affect the game on both offense and defense with his versatility. He will fit in perfectly with a group of infielders that will be special over the next few years."