Bombers Reach Far to Sign UConn Standout Bryan Daniello & Canisius Star Connor Panas
Battle Creek, Mich. – The Bombers have announced the signings of two additional players, having reached agreements with UConn’s Bryan Daniello and Canisius College’s Connor Panas. Both players will be joining the Bombers for the 2014 campaign.
Bryan Daniello, the 2012 Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, is in his sophomore year for the Huskies. Daniello is a pillar in the Huskies lineup, putting up some impressive numbers along the way. For this season, Bryan is hitting .278 with a .812 OPS, demonstrating good plate discipline and flashing power when he needs to.
Upon signing with the Bombers, Daniello added, “I’m really looking forward to the Northwoods League experience this summer. I’m so grateful to be a Bomber and for the opportunity to compete in the Northwoods League against college baseball’s elite”. Coach Trivett was pleased with the signing, stating “Bryan will be a great utility player for us this summer. He’s a real high-motor player, with an impressive assortment of tools while having a high baseball IQ”.
Connor Panas, a junior for the Canisius College Golden Griffins, originally hails from Toronto, Canada. Panas, already in the midst of an impressive collegiate career, is once again putting up big numbers with his bat this season. Connor is currently hitting .297 with an eye-popping .876 OPS. His accolades include being named a Toronto Star High School Baseball All-Star in 2010, leading Canisius with a .361 batting average in conference play in 2013, and being named to the MAAC All-Academic Team in 2013 as well.
Bombers Field Manager Dan Trivett commented on the signing, saying “Connor exemplifies what our ultimate goal is here in Battle Creek – to bring in high-character young men, winners on and off the field, as well as in the classroom. His hard-nose get-the-job-done approach will be a joy to watch this summer”.
Bryan Daniello, Conor Panas, and the rest of the Bombers will start their 2014 campaign in Battle Creek on May 29th at 7:05pm against the newly formed Kalamazoo Growlers.
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The Battle Creek Bombers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com