NORTHWOODS LEAGUE ANNOUNCES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 17, 2009

Mallards Sign Second Aggie

(MADISON, WI) With the signing of Texas A&M freshman pitcher Denny Clement, the Madison Mallards roster now boasts a pair of Aggies for the first time in the franchise’s nine-year history. A four-year letterwinner at Cascia Hall Prep. School (Tulsa, Okla.), Clement compiled a 39-8 career record on the mound with 457 strikeouts in 298 innings of work. As a senior he earned All-America honors from Louisville Slugger and MaxPreps after going 9-1 with a 0.42 ERA. He also led the area with 142 strikeouts, earning Tulsa Metro Pitcher of the Year and conference MVP. A standout three-sport athlete, Clement was an Oklahoma All-State selection at running back in leading the Commandos to the 2007 OSSAA Class 2A State Championship that same year. On the wrestling mat he was a three-time individual state champion, claiming titles in 2006, ’07, and ’08. Clement was selected in the 39th round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics. 

Mallards Manager C.J. Thieleke is excited to get a young power arm in Clement, who he believes will give opposing coaches something to think about in the latter innings of ballgames this summer.

“Denny is a kid who has good enough stuff to strike out anybody and everybody,” said Thieleke.

“We’re excited to help him transition into becoming a pitcher rather than just a thrower. After a full season in A&M’s bullpen Denny definitely won’t be coming to us as a freshman, so we fully expect him to thrive in the highly competitive Northwoods League.”

Thieleke points to Clement’s prep wrestling career as being the telling factor behind the youngster’s overall toughness.

“I grew up in Iowa, a hotbed for wrestling, so there isn’t a sport that I have more respect for in terms of developing toughness and tenacity,” said Thieleke.

“For me, that’s a very key attribute for a late-innings pitcher to have, especially since Denny will be given every opportunity to become the Mallards’ closer this summer.”

Mallards Announce 2009 Radio Home

Same frequency, different name: The Mallards are excited to announce ESPN Radio 100.5 FM will broadcast all 68 games this summer, while providing a stronger signal from a new tower built this past fall within Madison’s city limits. This marks the sixth year the Mallards and Good Karma Broadcasting have teamed up to provide fans live game action both on the radio dial and through online streaming at Mallardsbaseball.com. This year Mallards games will be preceded by a show aptly named “Madison’s Baseball Tonight” hosted by Jim Rutledge and Gabe Neitzel. The show’s first scheduled guest will be ESPN’s Karl Ravech. 

Said Good Karma Broadcasting General Manager Ken Rovak, “It’s definitely exciting to be able to provide sports fans in the Madison and surrounding communities the powerful ESPN brand and its elite programming while still being 100 percent committed to supporting local sports organizations like the Madison Mallards.”

For programming information and live broadcasts online fans should visit ESPNMadison.com.

Mallards General Manager Vern Stenman points to the station’s stronger signal as a great opportunity to reach fans that might not have been able to receive the team’s live broadcast in year’s past.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to grow alongside ESPN Radio and continue to provide the highest quality broadcast to Mallards fans dispersed around the area—especially those located on the West side,” said Stenman.