Madison, WI –  The Madison Mallards are pleased to announce the hiring of Keith Ritsche as their pitching coach for the 2012 season. Ritsche comes from Winston-Salem State University where he is in his second year as the pitching coach for the Rams.

"I am always looking for people to work with that have the ability to challenge me as a coach, and I feel that Keith can do that," said Mallards Manager Greg Labbe. "Keith has shown that he can communicate well with his players from the results that he has had at Winston-Salem already, and I can’t wait to see what he is capable of doing with the types of pitchers we will have on the roster next summer."

Ritsche led the pitching staff at Winston-Salem State to a #7 ranking in NCAA Division II for strikeouts per nine innings in 2011. He also oversees infielder player development, strength and conditioning, and recruiting for the Rams.

Ritsche attended the College of St. Scholastica where he was a four-time All-Conference pitcher, and was named the 2006 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Player of the Year as a pitcher and first baseman. He finished 4th on the alltime wins list at St. Scholastica compiling a 23-4 record. He also had a career batting average of .364, playing first base, and shortstop. Ritsche played in the Northwoods League from 2004-2006 for the Duluth Huskies.

"It has been my goal to coach in the Northwoods League since I was playing for Duluth," said Ritsche. "I am excited for the opportunity to coach for such a great organization and am looking forward to working alongside a great coaching staff. We have all the pieces in place to have a championship team in Madison."

Ritsche graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from the College of St. Scholastica in 2007, and in 2008 he earned his master’s degree in occupational therapy from the same school. Ritsche is now a liscensed practitioner in the Guilford School System in North Carolina.

Ritsche is single, and curently resides in Winston-Salem, NC.