Eau Claire, WI – The Eau Claire Express announced today that two more players have joined the 2015 Express roster. Brett Blackwood (INF, University of Alabama – Birmingham) and Daniel Jipping (OF, Central Michigan University) will add two powerful bats to the 2015 Express roster.
Brett Blackwood (INF) is originally from Hartselle, Alabama and a freshman this year at UAB. Thus far in his freshman campaign, Blackwood has played in nine games and started eight for the Blazers. In those games, Blackwood has a .500 slugging percentage and has tallied one homer, seven RBI, and five runs scored. As a prep, Blackwood impressed both at the conference and state level as he was named to the all-state team as a senior. In his junior season at Hartselle High School, Blackwood set the Alabama state record for hits in a single season with 103.
Daniel Jipping (OF) is a freshman this season for Central Michigan and originally hails from Canton, Michigan. Through 15 games this season for the Chippewas, Jipping scored five runs, batted in four runs, and slugged one homer. Jipping played his high school ball at Plymouth Christian Academy where after his senior season; he won the 2014 Muscle Milk Heavy Hitters Home Run Derby in Detroit by crushing 30 home runs.
The Express begin their 11th season of play in the Northwoods League on May 26th as they take on the Border Cats in Thunder Bay. Eau Claire’s home opener is scheduled for May 28th versus the Duluth Huskies. First pitch of that contest will be at 6:35 PM. Season tickets and voucher packs are on sale now and single-game tickets will go on sale May 1st.
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The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.eauclaireexpress.com.