Wausau, WIS- The Wisconsin Woodchucks are thrilled to add three more to the team’s 2017 roster. RHP Gordon Cardenas will be returning to the ‘Chucks in 2017, along with RHP Heath Hawkins and OF Tristan Clarke.
Gordon Cardenas returns to the Woodchucks after a successful 2016 season where he recorded a 5-0 record. In 30 IP Cardenas struck out 26. Prior to his time with the Woodchucks he spent time Auburn University, Fullerton College and University of Hawaii at Manoa. During his junior campaign with Auburn he threw 17 strikeouts with a 2.35 ERA.
Heath Hawkins, a 6’ 5” sophomore from Furman University will be joining Cardenas as a 2017 Woodchucks Pitcher. Hawkins had a solid freshman campaign where he made 19 appearances on the hill, 18 in relief. He went 3-0, with one save and struck out 18. Hawkins is off to a strong start in 2017, striking out 5 in 3 innings with a 3.0 ERA. In high school he starred as a pitcher and first baseman in helping his program post a 90-13 record and win three consecutive state championships.
6’ 4” Junior Tristan Clarke is coming to the Woodchucks from the University of New Orleans. Five games into the 2017 season Tristan is off to a great start with the Privateers. Clarke is currently batting .556 with two home runs and 4 doubles and 6 RBI in 18 at bats. Prior to his time at UNO Clarke was a two year letterman at Eastern Oklahoma State where he boasted a career average of .347 with 20 home runs, 65 RBI, 15 doubles and 4 trips. Clarke was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 30th Round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
The Wisconsin Woodchucks’ home opener is Wednesday, May 31, 2017. All ticket packages and group tickets are now on sale for the upcoming 2017 season. The Woodchucks are also excited to be hosting the 2017 Northwoods League All-Star Game, presented by Ascension. Call the Woodchucks ticket sales department for more information at 715.845.5055 or go online, www.woodchucks.com, to learn more. Single game tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 21, 2017.
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The Wisconsin Woodchucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 160 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.woodchucks.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Woodchucks as your favorite team.