(Eau Claire, WI) Eau Claire Express field manager Dale Varsho has announced the verbal commitment of four players to join the team in 2012. Two pitchers and two position players will be added to the roster for the upcoming season.
Philip Walby and Tim Zier from San Diego State and Devin Moore and Tyler Wampler from Indiana State will become the newest players to come to Eau Claire this summer.
Walby is a sophomore for the Aztecs and served mostly as a middle reliever last season. He is expected to serve in much of the same role this spring. He spent last summer in the Alaska League and made 16 appearances for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. The Baltimore Orioles drafted Walby in the 50th round in 2010.
Zier is also a sophomore at San Diego State and will be the starting second baseman this spring. In 2011, he split time between second base and left field, and served as the leadoff hitter in 31 games. Zier spent last summer with the Mat-Su Miners of the Alaskan League. He hit .295 to finish in the top 10 in hitting.
Moore is a junior for the Sycamores after transferring in from Lincoln Land Community College. Last season he led his team with nine wins and went 9-4 with a 2.49 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 86.2 innings pitched. Moore played in the Illinois Coaches Association All-Star game as a senior in high school.
Wampler is a sophomore infielder for Indiana State and started 50 games last spring as a freshman. He finished the season hitting .306 and drove in 17 runs. He spent the majority of the season as the team’s shortstop. In high school, Wampler earned honorable mention all-state honors as a senior. He also set the West Vigo High School record for career wins on the mound with 32.
The Express open up the 2012 season May 30, at home against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. Continue to watch for roster announcements through the spring leading all the way up to opening day.
The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.
