Baseball, Softball Players Continue Careers

University of Maine baseball player Stephen Perakslis has been selected in the 21st round, 644th overall, of the 2012 MLB Entry Draft, by the Chicago Cubs. He becomes the second Black Bear drafted in as many days, joining Jeffrey Gibbs who was selected Tuesday in the ninth round, 303rd overall, by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Perakslis, a pitcher from Abington, Mass., appeared  in 46 games for the Black Bears, making 33 starts the past three seasons. He has a career record of 15-13 with a 4.40 ERA. He struck out 156 batters in 214.2 innings the past three
season. Perakslis, who just completed his junior season for the Black Bears, played in 15 games for Maine this season. An American East Second Team selection, he finished 5-5 with a team-best 3.81 ERA.

Meanwhile, former UMaine softball shortstop Jennifer Eberhardt of Glendale, Ariz., has announced she will play for Central in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Eberhardt will leave Maine on June 7 for the Netherlands.

After transferring from Glendale Community College, Eberhardt spent two years at UMaine where she started all 97 possible games. Eberhardt had a UMaine career .294 batting average, 39 RBI and 52 runs scored with eight home runs and 16 doubles.

Contact: Jessica Bloch, (207) 581-3777