The Mallards are excited to announce the team’s first two signings for the 2011 season in Sun Prairie-native Michael Handel, a freshman infielder at the University of Minnesota, and Verona-native Justin Scanlon, a junior infielder at Michigan State University, who returns to Madison for a second summer.

Michael Handel, Throws: R, Bats: R, 6’1”, 170 lbs (University of Minnesota)

While at Sun Prairie High School, Handel was named to the All-State and All-Area Teams while also receiving First-Team All-Conference honors as an upperclassman. As a senior he helped lead his team to a Big 8 conference title after hitting .429 with 27 runs, 17 stolen bases, nine doubles, and 25 RBI. Handel was also named to the Perfect Game Central All-Region First Team in 2010. He was invited to play in the 2008 and 2009 World Wood Bat National Tournament in Georgia and Jupiter, Florida.

Justin Scanlon, Throws: R, Bats: R, 6’0”, 185 lbs (Michigan State)

Scanlon returns for a second summer with the Mallards in 2011 after appearing in 18 games a season ago and having posted an impressive .314 batting average, 11 runs scored, and nine RBI. He played at nearby Madison College for two years before transferring to Michigan State this fall. Last year for the Wolfpack, Scanlon led the team in hits (76), doubles (14), and stolen bases (27). He is expected to be named the Spartans starting shortstop this spring.