The Collegiate Baseball Newspaper released its weekly national rankings Monday afternoon, and for the first time in the Division I era, the Eastern baseball team is on it.

The Panthers debuted on the list at No. 27 this week, accumulating 427 total points – five more than No. 30 Minnesota – which is the last team on the rankings list.

The national ranking is a culmination of a stretch for the Panthers that began at the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament last May. Eastern is 26-7 overall since May 21 of last year, including 21-5 through 26 games this season.

For senior center fielder Brett Nommensen, being nationally ranked is a privilege he never imagined would be possible.

“Words can’t describe it,” he said. “Having been here for four years, I never could have told you it could happen to us.”

The Panthers have the right blend of veterans and youth, making this ranking something that does not concern head coach Jim Schmitz.

Normally, it would be a concern that a national ranking could go to players’ heads. But Schmitz doesn’t think that’s the case.

“I don’t have any worries about that,” Schmitz said. “This team is very driven, they’re older. We know what it is like to be in the regional last year, so there are no worries. We’re having fun with what we’re doing.”

That mentality should work to the Panthers’ benefit this season. Knowing they have to come out and compete day in and day out will likely prevent any type of lapse that could occur because of the recognition.

Nommensen said as a team leader, his job is to keep the younger players focused and he makes a point to bring up the rankings as little as possible.

“I let them soak it in, but once we get on the field there’s no more talk about us being ranked,” he said. “We’re just out there proving to everybody why we’re ranked, but I try and stay away from talking about it at all so nobody’s head gets too big.”

The important thing for the Panthers to understand is they now go from being the hunter to being the hunted. Every OVC team that plays Eastern will now have extra motivation to knock off a ranked team.

Collin Whitchurch can be reached at 581-7944 or cfwhitchurch@eiu.edu.