Another former Wayne State College baseball player has signed with the Sioux City Explorers.  Right handed pitcher Nick Schumacher is the third Wildcat standout to continue his minor league baseball career with the American Association club, joining outfielder Dustin Jones, who will enter his fourth season with the X's, and outfielder Joe Wendte, who signed with the club on March 30^th and will enter his first season with the Explorers.

            Schumacher comes to Sioux City after spending the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres organization.  He was drafted by the Padres in the 28^th round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft.  Last season, Schumacher pitched for the Fort Wayne Tin Caps in the Class A Midwest League and had 21 saves with a 3.63 ERA in 40 appearances to earn Midwest League All-Star honors before being promoted to the High Class A team, the Lake Elsinore Storm.  In three seasons of minor league baseball with the Padres, Schumacher recorded a 14-9 record with a 3.46 ERA while notching 143 strikeouts in 164 innings pitched.  

            The Nebraska City, Nebraska native had a stellar career in a Wildcat uniform from 2004-08, going 30-9 to tie Brady Borner for the most wins ever by a Wayne State baseball pitcher.  Schumacher was named First Team ABCA/Rawlings All-American during his senior season in 2008, going 13-2 with a 2.36 ERA to earn Northern Sun Conference and Central Region Pitcher of the Year honors.  He ranks first all-time at WSC in career appearances with 65 and is second all-time in strikeouts with 286 and innings pitched at 284.1.

            The Sioux City Explorers open the 2011 season on May 12^th at Fort Worth, Texas.