Eau Claire, Wis. – Eau Claire Express field manager Dale Varsho today announced the second and third commitments to his 2016 roster, as sophomore pitcher Dalton Roach (Minnesota State) and sophomore catcher Daulton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee) will each return for the 2016 campaign. They join first baseman/outfielder Jemuel Angela from the Netherlands who will play in Eau Claire as part of the Northwoods League’s partnership with Collegiate Baseball League Europe (CBLE).
Roach begins his third season with the Express. The Eau Claire native appeared in two games late in the 2014 Northwoods League season, totaling two innings and three strikeouts. He returned in 2015 to a much larger role, appearing in 13 games and starting six of them. Roach finished with a record of 1-4, a 3.17 earned run average and one save in 39.2 innings pitched.
Varsho returns after a good first year in the Express orange and black. He led Eau Claire in several offensive categories, including runs (37), doubles (11), triples (7), RBIs (32) and stolen bases (21). He ranked second in games played (63), at-bats (247), home runs (4) and hits (73). The Chili, Wis. native had the honor of being named to the Northwoods League’s All-Star Team when the event was held near his hometown in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
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.
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.