X's Sign Pair of Rookie Arms

March 10, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release

SIOUX CITY, IA - The Sioux City Explorers announced today that the club has re-signed Brandon Stennis and signed Michael Pereslucha, a pair of rookie pitchers, to 2016 American Association contracts. The 2016 season will mark Stennis' 2nd season of professional baseball and Pereslucha's 1st season.

Stennis signed with the X's late last season and made his professional debut on August 21st against the Lincoln Saltdogs where he tossed 2 innings and earned the save. The left-hander would earn his first win with the Explorers 2 days later as he threw 3 scoreless innings in relief. Stennis' best outing came during his first start on August 25th against Gary SouthShore where he tossed 6 shutout innings, allowing only 3 hits and a walk, while striking out 5. For the season, the Omaha, NE native threw 19.2 innings, holding opponents to a .229 batting average against him and a 3.66 ERA.

Prior to joining the X's, Stennis played collegiately at Doane College from 2012-2015. He was named Honorable Mention All-GPAC as a freshman and Second Team All-GPAC as a sophomore. As a junior, Stennis emerged as a leader for the Tigers pitching staff earning First Team All-GPAC honors by making 11 starts, posting an 8-2 record with a 1.92 ERA. In 70 innings pitched, the southpaw allowed just 47 hits (.189 batting average against) while tallying 72 strikeouts.

Stennis also spent two summers playing in the Northwoods League, a developmental league for college players, for the Rochester Honkers. He was a workhouse for the Honkers in 2014, leading the team in appearances with 22, compiling a 4-3 record and a 3.85 ERA while recording 48 punch-outs over 51 innings.

Pereslucha joins the Explorers after playing collegiately at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. As a senior, Pereslucha was named an All-NCAC First Teamer and also named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Division III All-Mideast Region Team. The right-hander was dominate on the mound for the Gators, leading the league in lowest ERA at 2.37 and lowest opponent's batting average against at a miniscule .174 average. The Pittsburgh, PA native made 7 starts on the mound going 5-1 including 2 complete game performances. In his 38 innings pitched, the senior only surrendered 23 hits while racking up 46 strikeouts. For his efforts, Pereslucha was named the NCAC Pitcher of the Year.

With the signing of Stennis and Pereslucha, the Explorers now have 3 pitchers and 6 position players signed to 2016 contracts. In other team news, RHP Jose Flores signed with Aguascalientes (Mexican League) and RHP Jeff Marquez signed with Puebla (Mexican League).The Explorers 2016 Home Opener will be Thursday, May 19th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries in a 7:00pm contest. Get in the game with the X's by reserving your 2016 season tickets or company group outing now by calling 712-277-WINS (9467).

Sioux City Explorers Pitcher Brandon Stennis

Sioux City Explorers Signee, Pitcher Michael Pereslucha with Allegheny College

American Association Stories from March 10, 2016

• X's Sign Pair of Rookie Arms - Sioux City Explorers

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