Hansen, Montoya Prepare for a Summer in Madison

By: Kyle Tooley

The Madison Mallards have signed two players from the University of Toledo, adding Matt Hansen and AJ Montoya to the 2016 roster.

Hansen, a 5’11,” 170-pound middle infielder from Erie, Pennsylvania, found much success at the prep level before arriving at Toledo.  In three varsity seasons at McDowell High School, Hansen hit .446 with 78 runs and 48 runs batted in. Hansen was a Pennsylvania All-State selection in both his junior and senior seasons.

Now beginning his sophomore season at Toledo, Hansen has seen a ton of action on the field.  As a freshman a season ago, Hansen started all 58 games for the team, appearing at both second base and shortstop.  He hit .244 while leading the team in both triples and walks. 

In his sophomore campaign, Hansen has started all 19 games for the Rockets, leading the team in walks and second in runs scored.

Montoya, a 5’11,” 188-pound outfielder from St. Joseph’s, Michigan, was a four-year letter winner at St. Joseph’s High School before going to Toledo.  In his senior season at St. Joseph’s, Montoya hit .450 and swiped 20 bases on his way to an all-state selection and recognition on Michigan’s High School Baseball “Dream Team.”  In his junior season, Montoya hit .422 with five home runs and 34 RBIs to accompany another all-state selection.  In his sophomore campaign, Montoya led the region in home runs, hits, and RBIs, capturing the Triple Crown as well as being named to the all-state team.

In his first season with the Rockets, Montoya was named MAC Freshman of the Year, finishing second on his team in batting average (.302) and walks (21) while leading Toledo in home runs (nine), RBIs (39) and doubles (17).  He appeared in 57 games for the Rockets, starting 56 of them.

Through 20 games in his sophomore season, Montoya leads his team with two home runs and has tallied six RBIs.

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