(Eau Claire, WI) Eau Claire Express field manager Dale Varsho has announced the signing of two more pitchers and two position players for the 2012 season.
Taylor Chris and Jimmy Allen come from Cal Poly, while Andrew Hedrick will come from Iowa and Nick Bullington heads to the Express from Rice.
Chris is a left-handed relief pitcher out of Gilroy, Cal. He is a sophomore and is expected to provide much-needed relief out of the bullpen. In 2011, he made 11 appearances and finished with a 4.15 ERA in 13 innings. In high school, Chris was named All-Tri-County three-straight years and was also his team’s MVP three years in a row. He played for the Bend Elks in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League last summer.
Allen has moved to third base this season after spending most of his time in the outfield last season. In 12 games, he leads the Mustangs with a .372 avg. and he has nine RBIs. Allen also played in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League with the League champion, Corvallis Knights, last summer. In high school he earned honorable mention All-Palomar League. He was drafted in the 39th round of the 2010 draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Hedrick is a freshman left-handed pitcher at Iowa. He was ranked as the fourth-best player in the state by Perfect Game USA as a senior. He earned first team all-state as a junior and senior. He went 9-2 with a 0.66 ERA as a junior. He pitched at Ankeny High School in Ankeny, Iowa.
Bullington is a freshman outfielder/catcher for the Rice Owls. He played high school baseball at Richland High School in North Richland Hills, Tex. He was named the District 6-5A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and also earned second-team All-Tarrant County.
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.
