Vierling, Stoffel, and Stowers Set to Don Green and Yellow
The Madison Mallards have announced the signing of Matt Vierling (University of Notre Dame), Tom Stoffel (Virginia Tech), and Josh Stowers (University of Louisville) as the latest additions to the 2016 roster.
Vierling, a 6’4”, 200-pound outfielder is off to a hot start in his first season with the Fighting Irish. In seven games, the freshman has a .391 batting average including one home run and nine RBIs. Vierling is slugging .565 and has an on-base percentage of .500. Prior to the start of the 2016 season, Vierling was ranked as the number 48 freshman in the country by Perfect Game.
The St. Louis, Missouri native was selected in the 30th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by his hometown St. Louis Cardinals. At the conclusion of his senior year at Christian Brothers College High School, Vierling was ranked the 163rd-best draft prospect by Baseball America and the number one high school player in Missouri by Prep Baseball Report. Additionally, he was ranked the 30th-best outfielder in the country and 134th-best overall by Perfect Game.
Vierling was a nightmare for opposing pitchers his senior year, hitting .451 with 60 hits, three home runs, and 32 RBIs. He also dominated on the mound as well. He finished with an 8-0 record, 2.07 ERA, and 56 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched. He earned himself a first-team Perfect Game Preseason Central Region All High School Senior and third-team Perfect Game High School Senior Preseason All-American.
Stoffel, a 5’11”, 195-pound left-handed pitcher and outfielder is looking to rebound after missing the 2015 season with the Hokies due to injury. The red-shirt sophomore has already tallied seven hits including a double and five RBIs in 2016. In 2014, his freshman year at Virginia Tech, Stoffel posted a .290 batting average with 27 hits and 11 RBIs.
Stoffel is a product of Northmont High School in Dayton, Ohio, where he earned four varsity letters and became the school’s first freshman to play at the varsity level in 30 years. Stoffel is the school’s all-time leader in hits with 154. In addition, Stoffel broke the school’s single-season doubles record with 16 in his sophomore year. Stoffel also hit for the cycle twice in his high school career.
Stowers, a 6’1”, 200-pound outfielder will be joining the Mallards roster this summer. In the midst of his freshman year, Stowers has provided depth for the Cardinals, who are off to a 6-2 start to 2016. The Westchester, Illinois native appeared in five of their first eight games, adding one hit and two runs scored.
While attending Mount Carmel High School, Stowers was ranked 247th in the nation in the class of 2015 by Perfect Game. He was ranked as one of the top prep outfielders in the state of Illinois and 6th overall by Perfect Game. He finished with a .387 batting average his senior year and .325 as a junior. In his sophomore year, Stowers helped lead his team to a 2013 state championship title with a .365 batting average and was selected all-conference and all-area.
Among Stowers numerous accolades are being named to All-Tournament Teams at the 2014 Perfect Game WWBA World Championship, 2014 Perfect Game WWBA Kernels Foundation Championship, 2014 Central Labor Day Classic, 2012 15U Perfect Game World Series, and 2012 Perfect Game WWBA 15U National Championship.
The Mallards will host their home opener on Friday, June 3rd when they take on the new Northwoods League affiliate Rockford Rivets. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm. Single-game tickets for the 2016 season will go on sale at 9:00 am on Saturday, April 30th.
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The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.MallardsBaseball.com