Eau Claire, Wis. – The Express front office today announced the addition of two Indiana Hoosier players to the 2014 roster. Joining the 2014 squad will be pitcher C.J. Eldred and catcher Brent Gibbs. Both are freshmen for the Hoosiers and bring the Express roster to 22 for the season that is set to start in less than two months.
Eldred is a 6-foot-1-inch, 215-pound right-hander. He has not yet appeared in a game for the Hoosiers this spring. Eldred played high school ball for Mount Vernon (Iowa) High School and lettered three years in baseball, while also lettering in basketball. His father, Cal Eldred, spent parts for 14 years playing Major League Baseball.
Gibbs is a 6-foot-1-inch, 220-pound catcher for the Hoosiers. Gibbs has also not appeared this spring for Indiana, but had a very successful high school career. He was a three-time All-Southwestern Conference performer and was named Player of the Year by “The Telegraph” two times. The Alton, Ill. native holds the single-season record for doubles and also the career runs batted in record while being named team MVP.
The Express begin their 10th season of play in the Northwoods League on Tuesday, May 27 versus the Lakeshore Chinooks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM with gates opening at 5:30. Season tickets and voucher packs are on sale now. Single-game tickets will go on sale May 1. To subscribe to the Express schedule on your internet and/or phone calendar and have it be updated with any changes in promotions and game times, click the link below.
The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, 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 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.eauclaireexpress.com.