Eau Claire, Wis. – The Eau Claire Express have added two players to the roster for 2016, it was announced today by Field Manager Dale Varsho. Coming to Eau Claire will be University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) shortstop Cody Bohanek and University of Minnesota outfielder Ben Mezzenga. The additions of the junior and freshman, respectively, bring the roster to five with just 97 days before the home opener.
Bohanek has gotten regular playing time in each of his previous seasons for the Flames. He was named to the All-Horizon League Freshman Team in 2014 after appearing in 36 games and starting 34. As a sophomore, he started 50 of 52 games and ranked fourth on the squad with a .314 batting average. The Oak Lawn, Ill. native was second on the team with 27 walks and third with a .425 on-base percentage. In early action this spring, Bohanek is batting .313 with a .500 on-base percentage.
Mezzenga will join the Express after his freshman season with the Gophers concludes. The Shoreview, Minn. native had an impressive high school career at Totino-Grace, finishing with a .539 batting average as a junior and followed that up with a .508 batting average during his senior season. His performance with the Eagles earned him All-Northwest Suburban recognition after his junior season. In early action for the Gophers, Mezzenga has started one of four games and has a hit in three at-bats.
The Express begin their twelfth season of play in the Northwoods League at Carson Park on May 31 versus the Rochester Honkers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. in that contest, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Season tickets and 5-Game Packs are on sale now and single-game tickets go on sale on May 2. The all-new 5-Game Pack includes a reserved ticket along with food and beverage for three innings for five of the biggest promotional nights of the 2016 season all for only $45.00. All tickets can be purchased by calling the Express office at 715-839-7788 or by stopping at the downtown office at 102 E. Grand Ave.
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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 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.eauclaireexpress.com.