Eastern’s baseball team announced its latest recruiting class with six players set to join the Panthers for the 2014 season. The recruiting class will have three pitchers and three position players joining Eastern’s roster.

Alex Cain (Oregon, Ill.) is a 6-foot-3-inch right-handed pitcher that was an all-conference first team selection as a junior at Oregon High School. Cain posted a 3-4 record with a 2.08 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched. He also proved to be effective at the plate, posting a .442 batting average with 35 RBI.

“I think with Cain, because he is so athletic and so talented, I don’t think it will be an issue (playing him both ways),” Schmitz said. “I think Cain is good enough to pitch and play the field without any issues.”

Scmitz also said that Cain’s breaking ball along with a solid fastball could have him playing the role of closer for the Panthers when he joins the program.

Jake Haberer (Highland, Ill) is a 6-foot-2-inch right-handed pitcher that was also an all-conference first team selection in his junior season at Highland High School. Haberer posted a 9-3 record with a 2.01 ERA and 65 strikeouts last season.

Chase Thurston (Danville, Ill.) will round out the trio of pitchers that are set to join the Panthers for the 2014 season. Thurston is a 5-foot-11-inch right-handed pitcher that was an all-conference first team selection playing at Danville High School. Thurston posted a 7-4 record to go along with a 2.39 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 15 appearances.

“I think Haberer has a chance to be in the starting rotation, and I think Cain can be a two-way threat and Thurston has one of the best out pitches I have seen in a long time,” Schmitz said. “I think all three of them will have an impact.”

Troy Vandenbroek (Belvidere, Ill.) was an all-conference first team selection playing for Belvidere High School. Vandenbroek recorded a .480 batting average with 28 RBI and 22 doubles last season. The Panthers are projecting Vandenbroek to be a middle of the lineup hitter.

“When it comes to hitting, Vanderbroek is one of the best pure power hitters,” Schmitz said. “There are very few hitters that come in here knowing how to hit, but Troy is the wow-guy out of the class. He really knows how to hit and hit with pop, and as a freshman that is pretty amazing.”

Marshawn Taylor (Chicago, Ill.) was an all-city selection in his sophomore and junior season playing the shortstop position for Simeon Career Academy. Taylor posted a .425 batting average to go with 23 RBI and 16 stolen bases last season.

“Marshawn (Taylor) is one of the most polished guys we have ever brought in here,” Schmitz said. “He is a plus runner and a good shortstop.”

Drew Sterioti (Naperville, Ill.) rounds out the recruiting class that will join Eastern for the 2014 season. Sterioti played primarily at third base for Neuqua Valley High School, posting a .326 batting average to go along with five RBI and a .452 on-base percentage.

Jordan Pottorff can be reached at 581-2812 or jbpottorff@eiu.edu.