By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Westville, IN---Nick Collins, a departing sophomore for the Express baseball team, recently signed with Purdue University North Central.

He became the sixth Express baseball player from this past year's team to sign with a four-year school.

The left-handed Collins hit .340 as a sophomore with the Express.  He finished 33-for-97 with two doubles, two triples, eight RBI and 13 walks for a .434 on base percentage.

"We're excited to add Nick to our team," said Purdue North Central head baseball coach John Weber via PNCathletics.com. "He's a solid stick from the left side and his experience and ability provides an opportunity to assist the team at many different positions."

Collins is a graduate of Rich Central High School in Chicago, IL.

Notes

Purdue University North Central baseball competes at the NAIA level. They are members of the Chicagoland Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) and are coached by John Weber.

Collins joins Ryan Horvath (Union College), Nate Manis (Wayne State University), Justin Elder (Union College), Sean Koerber (Lourdes University), Logan Shullick (Tiffin University) and Dane Davis (IPFW) as members of last year's Express sophomore class to move on. In addition to those six players, the 2011-12 Express baseball team now has 17 players that have signed with four-year schools/universities. The others include Clayton Ruch (Wayne State University), Ryan Hotmer (Grand Valley State University), Daniel Heatherly (Adrian College), Jeff Davis (Adrian College), Jordan Basinger (Siena Heights University), Michael Louis (University of Findlay), Chris Ward (Grand Valley State University), Andy Joseph (Northwood University, MI), Joe Sickler (University of Findlay) and Alex Juday (Jackson State University).