MADISON, Wis. (May 22, 2012) – The Madison Mallards have announced the signings of junior catcher Austin Wynns (left) of Fresno State University, freshman infielder Luis Munoz (center) from Coffeyville Community College, and junior outfielder Vince Bruno (right) from the University of California-Berkeley.

Bruno, a 5’10”, 170 pound junior out of Concord, California will join the Mallards at the conclusion of his junior year with the Golden Bears. So far in 2012 he is batting .324 over 50 games with 48 starts. In 2011 Bruno began the season on a 14 game hitting streak and finished the season with a .299 average with 13 RBIs. The quality year at the plate was good enough to earn him honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors. 

“You have to have hitters with a track record of success because they bring a sense of professionalism to the ball park everyday, and I believe Tony is one of those guys,” Mallards manager Greg Labbe said, “He is so versatile in the field because he is able to play either of the corner outfield positions, and then move onto the infield and play third or second.”

Bruno spent the summers of 2011 and 2010 as an outfielder for another Northwoods League team in the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers. Over 27 games with the Lunkers in 2011 he batted .297 with 13 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. During the 2010 season he had a .262 average along with two home runs and 50 RBIs in 50 games. 

During his prep career Bruno was one of the most decorated players in his state’s recruiting class. He was selected as the Cal Hi Sports North Coast Section Player of the Year and was named first team all-state by ESPN. His .543 average along with 37 RBIs and 17 stolen bases his senior year at Clayton Valley High School in 2009 also earned him Second-Team Collegiate Baseball High School All-America honors.  

“His best tool will be what he does for us at the plate,” Labbe added, “He has one of those compact line-drive swings that always seems to find the barrel.”

Wynns, a 6’2”, 190 pound junior from Poway, California is coming out to Madison once the Bulldogs wrap up their season. In 48 starts behind the plate for Fresno State he registered 41 hits this year, hitting .253 overall with 22 RBIs. He had a breakout year his sophomore season, batting .326 on the year with 21 RBIs over 175 at-bats. The stellar year in 2010 earned him First Team All-Western Athletic Conference honors.

“Your pitching staff is only as good as the guys you have behind the plate, and Austin is the type of catcher that can make a good staff great,” Labbe said, “He has a tremendous work ethic and plays the game the right way.”

A graduate of Poway High School he led his team to back-to-back section titles in 2008 and 2009. His senior year he batted .390 with five home runs and 37 RBIs, which was good for first team All-CIF. That year he was also named Player of the Year in the Palomar league. 

“He is a strong, physical player that knows how to handle a staff and has the ability to hit in the middle of our lineup,” Labbe added, “I love to watch good catchers catch, and I know I am going to enjoy seeing what Austin can do this summer.”

Munoz, a 5’8”, 160 pound infielder from Zulia, Venezuela will join the Mallards after his freshmen season at Coffeyville. So far in 2012 he is batting .302 over the course of 45 games. 

“Luis is the type of player that fans are going to love see playing in Madison. He lets his glove, bat and speed do the talking on the field,” Labbe said, “He has tremendous hands and footwork, which will allow his to play either shortstop or second base. Luis is a pesky hitter that can work the count and get on in a variety of ways.”  

The 2012 season is upon us! Single-game tickets are on-sale for all Mallards home games!

The Mallards will host their season opener against the Battle Creek Bombers on May 30th at 7:05 pm at the "Duck Pond." 7-Game Packs, season, and group tickets are on sale now!

The Madison Mallards are part of the 16-team Northwoods League. The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.