St. Cloud, MN – The St. Cloud Rox in conjunction with the Northwoods League announced today the signing of left-handed pitcher from the Netherlands, Gilian Van Lith as part of a partnership between the Northwoods League and Collegiate Baseball League Europe (CBLE).

Prior to the 2014 season an agreement was made to allow the top six players from the CBLE to participate in the NWL during the 2015 season.  Earlier this month at the annual NWL Fall Meetings a draft was held to determine the six teams in the league that would host these players.  With the second overall pick, the Rox selected Van Lith who played last summer for the Sant Boi Falcons of Barcelona.

The CBLE is a wood bat summer league based in Oosterhout, Netherlands.  The league currently consists of four teams: La Rochelle Admirals, Oosterhout Bombers, London Cavaliers and the Sant Boi Falcons of Barcelona. 

Van Lith is a 6’7” left handed pitcher from Apeldoorn, Netherlands.  Last summer in the CBLE he was 2-0 with a 1.16 ERA.  Over 18 innings he struck out 23 batters while walking only 7 batters.

“It will be a great experience for Gilian and an opportunity for us to build a relationship with a country that has developed many great baseball players,” said Rox field manager Augie Rodriguez. “They have been very competitive at the World Baseball Classic in recent years.”

Rodriguez, along with the Rox organization, will continue to build the roster for the fourth season of Rox baseball in 2015.  The Rox will open their season in late May of 2015.  For season and group ticket information please call (320) 240-9798.