NORTHWOODS LEAGUE ANNOUNCES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 10, 2009

Mallards Add Two for ’09

(MADISON, WI) The Madison Mallards announced the team has signed Hawaii freshman pitcher Matt Sisto and Fort Hays State junior outfielder Greg Bieker for the 2009 season. Sisto, a 2008 graduate of Cypress (CA) High School, helped lead his team to league championships from 2005-07. The Anaheim native was named a TPX Preseason First Team All-American before his senior year. Meanwhile, Bieker was named to the All-MIAA First Team after leading the Tigers in batting average (.399), hits (79), and doubles (21), and ranking second of the team in home runs (14) and RBI (58) last season. Greg’s brother, Jeff, was a member of the Mallards 2004 Northwoods League Championship team and played in Madison the following summer as well. 

Mallards Manager C.J. Thieleke likes Sisto’s live arm and believes he has a great opportunity to make the team’s starting rotation.

“From the coaches I’ve talked to and reports that I’ve read it sounds like Matt has an arm build for professional baseball because he throws a hard sinking fastball and a lot of strikes,” said Thieleke.

Sisto played for the Oahu Paddlers in the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League last summer and went 1-0 with a 2.52 ERA in six starts over 25 innings.

Through seven starts this spring Sisto is 3-2 with a 3.26 ERA in 38.2 innings.

Bieker, who has signed a 10-day contract with the Mallards, knows his biggest supporter will only be a phone call away all summer long.

“The fact that my brother has already experienced multiple seasons in Madison in the Northwoods League is a huge asset for me, and I plan on tapping into his knowledge as much as I can,” said Bieker.

“He told me that there isn’t a more rewarding and fun place to play summer ball in the country so to say that I’m excited to make the trek up to Madison is the understatement of the year.”

Jeff is now a General Ledger Unit Manager at Waddell & Reed investment firm in Kansas. He cites the festive atmosphere at the “Duck Pond” as being one of his greatest memories of his time in Madison.

“The baseball is top notch, the fans are awesome, and the staff runs such an efficient and friendly atmosphere that everyone from the fans to the players leaves the park feeling that they have been a part of something special every night,” Jeff wrote in an email. 

“Seeing young fans that someday could be wearing a Madison uniform was also very special.”

Through 30 games this spring Bieker is hitting .346 with seven home runs and 28 RBI.