Eau Claire, Wis. – Two players from the California Golden Bears will join the Eau Claire Express roster in 2016, it was announced today by the Express front office. Infielder Ripken Reyes and pitcher Aaron Shortridge will bring Eau Claire’s roster to 15 for the upcoming Northwoods League season.

Reyes is a freshman originally from Stockton, Calif. In his time at St. Mary’s High School, he was a three-time first team all-TCAL selection and a two-time All-Area selection at shortstop. He has had limited action in his first season at Cal, appearing in seven games and starting two. He has a .231 batting average in 13 at-bats. Reyes has shown good plate discipline in the early going, drawing three walks leading to a .412 on-base percentage.

Shortridge is also a freshman for the Bears and hails from Napa, Calif. His high school ball was played at Vintage High School where he was a Pitcher of the Year finalist in 2015 and Player of the Year finalist in 2014. His time there saw him record a school record 215 strikeouts. Shortridge has also seen somewhat limited action this spring, appearing in five games spanning 7.1 innings pitched. He has a 1-1 record with five strikeouts thus far.

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 23^rd 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.