Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Sports

Eastern senior center fielder Ryan Lindquist (right in bottom photo) and freshman right fielder Zach Borenstein (top) have picked up the slack when senior center fielder Brett Nommensen was injured April 10 against Tennessee Martin. Lindquist took Nommensen's position in center field, while Borenstein is now hitting leadoff. (Both photos by Audrey Sawyer/The Daily Eastern News)

"There really is no replacing Brett Nommensen."

Zach Borenstein and Ryan Lindquist both expressed those sentiments about the Eastern baseball team's star center fielder, who was injured April 10 and has been out of the lineup since.

The irony of that statement is both Borenstein and Lindquist's roles are to do just that, replace Nommensen.

Lindquist, a senior from Hinsdale, took over the job in center field after Nommensen's injury.

He is familiar with the role, however, as he served as a regular starting outfielder for the Panthers last season.

Lindquist provides amazing range for the Panthers in center field, tracking down balls and making diving or leaping catches on several occasions.

Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz said that is what they expect out of Lindquist, and the hitting he has provided has been a boost.

"His work offensively has been a plus," Schmitz said. "His ability to drive the ball the other way has been great. We tweaked his swing a little bit, and he's been gelling."

While Lindquist became a regular starter this season after Nommensen's injury, Borenstein has been the Panthers' starting right fielder almost all season.

The position he has had to take over in Nommensen's place, however, has been at the top of the order.

The left-handed hitting freshman from Buffalo Grove started the season hitting near the bottom of the order in either the six or seven spot.

But with Nommensen, the team's usual leadoff hitter, out, Borenstein has stepped in and excelled. He hit .325 during the Panthers' recent 10-game home stand and led the team with 15 runs scored.

Schmitz said while Borenstein was always known for his power hitting ability coming out of high school, he has been most impressed with his ability to get on base.

"(Borenstein) came to us as a slugging shortstop out of high school," Schmitz said. "I don't think he got too many walks in high school. He's made the adjustment by getting on base and scoring runs."

Borenstein - who walked a team-high eight times during the home stretch - said he does not feel any pressure batting leadoff because the lineup behind him is so strong.

"I've got eight other guys behind me that are going to get on base and get the job done if I get out," he said. "I don't change anything. I've just been trying to stay focused on what's been successful for me and it's been working."

For Lindquist, the task has been working on his hitting. He hit .264 last year in 55 games and has jumped up to .366 this year in 37 games, including 29 starts.

"I worked a couple weeks ago with (Schmitz and assistant coach Sean Lyons) and tweaked my swing a little bit," Lindquist said. "I've just been focusing on going out there and doing my job and trying to help us win."

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

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