(Madison, WI) The Mallards have added Rafael Lopez, a junior catcher from Florida State University, and Ross Heffley, a sophomore infielder from Western Carolina University. 

Rafael Lopez, C, Junior, Florida State. A 5’9”, 197 pound player who hails from Wellington, FL started all 47 games for the Seminoles last season. Lopez didn’t shy away from showing his skills from the catcher position with a .989 fielding percentage and a streak of 30 games without an error. Prior to playing for Florida State, Lopez red-shirted his freshman year at Boston College and played at Indian River State College. 

This Spring, Lopez is hitting .257 (26-for-101) with 25 runs and 16 RBI.

“Lopez comes to us with experience in this league having played for the Battle Creek Bombers, and becomes the first Mallard from Florida State University. He’s a converted catcher who is a tough-minded player you can depend on to handle a staff night-in-and-night-out,” said Mallards Manager C.J. Thieleke.

Ross Heffley, IF, Sophomore, Western Carolina. A 5’8”, 175 pound native of Snellville, GA was named to the 2010 Louisville Slugger Pre-Season All-American Baseball Team earlier this spring. In his freshman season with Western Carolina, he ranked second on the team with a .391 batting average on his way to the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year Award. 

This Spring, Heffley is batting .350 (70-for-200) with 30 runs, 10 home-runs and a team-leading 56 RBI.

“Ross is a little guy who plays with a chip on his shoulder and can really swing the bat. He comes to us having played in the Cape Cod League last summer and has had success everywhere he’s been. We’re excited to add such a premier offensive threat so late in the signing season,” said Thieleke. 

Opening Day is slated for Wednesday, June 2, at 7:05 p.m. against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Single-game and group tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 608.246.4277.