The Mudcats announced Wednesday that they will host the Indians on April 3 at Five County Stadium. It will be the Triangle area’s introduction to the team that will supply the Zebulon-based franchise with minor league talent.

“Cleveland wanted to show their appreciation to the Triangle area and they offered to put on an exhibition game,” said Mudcats owner Steve Bryant. “I think it’s going to be a great way to introduce the era of the Cleveland Indians to Mudcats’ fans.”

It will be the seventh time Five County Stadium has hosted a MLB team for an exhibition. The Pirates (1992, 1994, 1996), Mariners (1997), Marlins (2003) and Reds (2005) have played the Mudcats previously.

After selling his interest in the Double-A franchise that was located at Five County Stadium last year, Bryant purchased the rights to the high Class-A team in Kinston, which he moved to Five County Stadium and, in the process, brought Carolina League baseball back to the Triangle.

The Indians’ player development agreement with the franchise was set to end after the upcoming season, but the Mudcats and Indians agreed to a two-year extension that lasts through the 2014 season.

“This will be an incredible addition to the Cleveland Indians’ player development system, as we are adding a Triple-A caliber ballpark and facility while remaining in what we feel is one of the best developmental leagues in professional baseball,” said Indians vice president for player development Ross Atkins, a North Carolina native. “We expect this to be the beginning of a very long and productive relationship.”

Tickets to the game, which will feature a 2 p.m. start, went on sale today. Bryant said anyone who buys a ticket to the game will receive a free ticket to the Carolina League opener April 6 against Winston-Salem.