The St. Cloud River Bats announced Monday the signing of Nebraska left-hander Zach Hirsch to its 2011 roster, bringing the current active roster to 15 with opening day roughly 10 weeks away.

“This roster continues to strengthen each week,” River Bats Managing Partner Joel Sutherland said. “We are really confident in the team that is shaping up for our 15th Anniversary Season.”

A native of St. Charles, Ill., Hirsch has made five relief appearances as a freshman this spring for Nebraska. Over five innings of work, the southpaw has a 3.60 earned run average with five walks and three strikeouts. Opponents are hitting just .133 against Hirsch. The 6’4’’ 227-pound Hirsch underwent season-ending elbow surgery last February and used a medical red shirt. In three varsity seasons at St. Charles North High School, Hirsch went 17-5 with a 0.99 earned run average. He was named First-Team All-State as a senior.

Hirsch joins fellow Husker infielder Bryan Peters on the River Bats roster.