ABOUT MATT BORENS: 

A local product out of Monee, Ill., and the tallest member of the team at 6-8, Matt Borens joins the CrackerJacks after his freshman season at Eastern Illinois. Borens is a right-handed pitcher who made three starts for the Panthers and 12 relief appearances. He posted a 5.70 ERA over 23.2 innings with a 1-0 record and one save. Borens also struck out 12 batters.

At Peotone High School, Borens helped his team win the regional title in both of his seasons on the varsity roster, 2010 and 2011. As a junior, he threw 58 strikeouts in 38.1 innings for an impressive 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

Borens also played basketball and golf at Peotone High School. He helped lead the basketball team to a 14-16 overall record and Class 2A Reed-Custer Regional Title. Borens scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds in his final game as a Blue Devil against Seton Academy inthe IHSA Class 2A State Championship Tournament. He was also an all-conference and all-area selection in basketball as a senior.

Borens attended the Prep Baseball Report’s Unsigned Senior Showcase on Oct. 17, 2010 and, according to scouts, “stole the show and earned the event’s top prospect honors.” He signed shortly after with Eastern. Borens pitch repertoire includes a fastball which can reach the high 80’s, a changeup, and curveball.

Borens is the son of Dan and Pam Borens and is majoring in kinesiology and sports studies at EIU.