Aug. 2, 2005

OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University head baseball coach Dan Simonds announced the hiring of two assistant coaches to fill out his staff for the 2006 season on Tuesday. Ben Bachmann, who comes to Oxford from the University of Maryland, and Kevin Erminio, who spent the past five seasons at Middle Tennessee State, bring a combined 21 years of college coaching experience to Miami as the RedHawks look to defend both the Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament titles from 2005.

"I feel strongly that this staff will not only develop players, but quality people as well. I am looking forward to working with Ben and Kevin," said Simonds, who was hired as Miami's head coach in early July.

Bachmann spent the past five seasons as the pitching coach at the University of Maryland where he helped the pitching staff set numerous school records. In 2003, he mentored Steve Schmoll, currently pitching with the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the righthander became the school's all-time and single-season strikeout leader. In 2002, Maryland hurlers established school records for strikeouts (451) and saves (10).

Prior to his time at Maryland, Bachmann was part of the coach staff at Lynn University for two seasons where he helped the pitching staff to a school-record 379 strikeouts in 1999. He graduated from Lewis University in 1997 with a degree in business administration after being an All-American at Kankakee Community College in Illinois.

Bachmann will serve as Miami's recruiting coordinator and will work with the outfielders while assisting with the pitching staff and organizing the program's summer camps.

"Ben has spent the last five seasons in a tremendous baseball conference (Atlantic Coast Conference) and has gained a lot of experience," said Simonds. "He is a talented evaluator and understands the type of student-athlete we are pursuing here at Miami. As good of a coach as Ben is, he is a better person and I am excited about what he brings to the staff."

Erminio has worn many hats in his 14-year college coaching career, most recently as the pitching coach at Middle Tennessee State for five seasons where he developed Dewon Brazelton, an All-American and the third overall selection in the draft in 2001. In 2004, Erminio helped guide the Blue Raiders to a 40-22 record while his pitching staff led the Sun Belt Conference with a 4.06 earned run average. In all, MTSU won two regular-season conference championships and one tournament title, while making three trips the the NCAA Tournament.

Before MTSU, Erminio was the pitching coach at Berry College for two seasons and was a volunteer assistant at Clemson where he worked with catchers and hitters. In his time at Clemson, the Tigers hosted two NCAA Regionals and earned a berth in the 1996 College World Series.

Erminio holds a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's in education, both from Tusculum College, where he served as an assistant coach from 1991-95. As a student-athlete at Tusculum, he was a two-time All-American at shortstop and served as the team's captain as a senior. His main duties at Miami will revolve around coaching the pitching staff.

"I'm thrilled to have Kevin join our staff. He is a talented pitching coach with an impressive track record of developing young pitchers," said Simonds. "His knowledge, experience and work ethic will be an asset to the program."