By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---Sophomore pitchers Andrew Joseph and Chris Ward took advantage of the early signing period and signed with four-year colleges recently.

Joseph will continue playing at Northwood University (MI), while Ward will play at Grand Valley State University. Both of them are lefties.

Joseph went 4-2 with a 4.18 ERA his freshman year. In five starts and three relief appearances,  he pitched 28 innings, allowed 22 hits, 13 earned runs, 13 walks and struck out 28. He had a batting average against of .218, and threw a perfect game against Lorain County CC.

"We're looking forward to seeing him improve on his solid freshman campaign," said Express head coach Del Young.

Ward played baseball at Cleveland State University his freshman year before transferring to Owens for his sophomore season. He had the fourth best ERA on the team at 5.53 and, in 16 appearances, he started three games, pitched 42.1 innings, allowed 38 hits, 26 earned runs and struck out 31. He had a batting average against of .248.

Young said that Ward will be a top of the rotation starter for the Express this year.

The Express open their season in Myrtle Beach, SC on March 2.