Kreke was 7-for-11 with a double, two RBIs, six runs scored, two walks and a stolen base in the Rome Braves' home series versus the Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox affiliate). Not only was he hitting the third in the lineup, but also playing shortstop again, his primary position during his EIU career. He was 4-for-4 with three runs scored June 11.
Nommensen went 5-for-10 with a double, three RBIs, four walks, a run scored and a stolen base in the Bowling Green Hot Rods' series at the Beloit Snappers (Minnesota Twins affiliate). He reached base safely in nine of his 14 plate appearances.
Kreke is batting .324 (11-for-34) over his last 10 games for the Atlanta Braves' Class A affiliate in the South Atlantic League. He ranks third on the team with 24 RBIs.
Nommensen is batting .333 (13-for-39) over his last 10 games, hitting safely in seven of the last eight, for the Tampa Bay Rays' Class A affiliate in the Midwest League. He entered the week leading his team with 28 RBIs.
Kreke and Nommensen were both selected in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft after helping leading EIU to Ohio Valley Conference Tournament (2008) and regular-season (2009) titles as upperclassmen. They were a big reason why the Panthers ranked second nationally in team batting average in 2009. They both began their first full seasons of pro ball this spring.
News regarding the professional contract status of
Josh Mueller,
Mike Recchia and signee Ryan Hartman will be posted later this week. Summer league links for returning Panthers will also be made available in the coming days.
