Terrier Alum Help Panthers Reach IBL Final, News (Terriers Baseball)

News Article
News Article Image
Aug 27, 2019 | Dan Thompson | 3422 views
Terrier Alum Help Panthers Reach IBL Final
The Kitchener Panthers are headed to the IBL final where they will face the Barrie Baycats. The teams were one-two in the regular season. 


The Panthers roster boasts six Terrier alumni. Jas Rakkar, Brian Burton, Jeff Hunt, Liam Wilson, Zarley Cina and Tanner Nivins all wore Terriers Blue and gold before their college or pro careers.


RHP Jas Rakkar earned a scholarship to Stoneybrook University and competed in the College World Series in 2012. After his time at Stoneybrook  Jas was drafted by the Chicago Cubs. He has also donned the Maple Leaf, pitching for Team Canada in two Pan Am Games coming away with a gold and a silver. Jas had a 3.37 ERA for the Panthers this season.

 

Brian Burton played first base for the Terriers from 2005 to 2007. From there  he went on to Canisius College where he captained the Griffins in his Junior and Senior years. ‎His career average was .317 with 174 RBI and 30 home runs.

Brian also spent two summers in the Coastal Plains League, bagging two championship titles along the way. 

He hit .353 this year along with smashing five homers including a grand slam in game two of the IBL semi-final.

 

Infielder Jeff Hunt spent three years in the Terrier program. He earned a scholarship to Ohio University but was drafted by the LA Dodgers so he pursued a pro career. 

Jeff won a gold medal at the 2008 Canada Cup and also played for our Junior National Team. He hit .272 with 16 RBI this year in the IBL.

 

Upon graduating the Terriers program Liam Wilson went to Sterling Colorado on an NJCAA D1 scholarship. After his sophomore year he transferred to ‎Canisius College where he won a MAAC Conference title while hitting .339

With the Panthers this season he hit a staggering .436

 

Zarley Cina spent three years with the Terriers. He started his college career at Niagara County CC then transferred to East Stroudsburg University in 2017. 

Zarley had 21 RBI and a .342 average for the Panthers this year.

 

The Terriers all time home run leader is Tanner Nivins with 27.  

He also lead the Panthers in homers this season with eight to go along with his team leading 28 RBI.

Upon graduating the Terriers program Tanner  garnered a scholarship to Stoneybrook University, eventually competing in the College World Series in 2012. 

 Before his college days Tanner won a gold medal at the 2008 Canada Cup where he was named tournament MVP. He also played the outfield with our Junior National Team.

 

The IBL, née The Intercounty Baseball League, has been around for a century. 

2019 marks it's101st season of baseball, making it the oldest men's amateur league in the country. 

 

Good luck in the finals men!