Chris Burgess (Blackhawk CC) was impressive in his 1st start of the season for the Madison Mallards. The West Chicago, IL native threw 7.0 innings of five hit baseball while striking out eight Rafters. The right handed pitcher had a very successful 2011 campaign with Blackhawk Community College who finished the season with a 44-9 record. Burgess had 65 strike outs in 52.1 innings pitched this season.
Wade Wass (Meridian CC) was 3-for-5 in a Lunkers win against the Alexandria Beetles on Thursday night. Wass drove in three runs and scored two to help the Lunkers to victory and is currently hitting .400 in 2011. Wass spent 2011 with Meridian Community College in Florida where he hit .370 in 48 games and had 11 home runs and 39 RBIs.
The Eau Claire Express used a hot start Thursday night as they scored five runs in the 1st two innings.
Mike McQuillan (Iowa) led the Madison Mallards to victory on opening night against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters with a four hit night. The athletic left-handed hitting infielder was 4-for-5 on the night with a run scored and a stolen base. The junior infielder finished the season as the Hawkeye's best hitter with a .330 average and 31 RBI.
The Northwoods League opens its 18th season tonight as action begins in eights cities across the 16-team league. This will be the 2nd year the NWL will have two divisions. The North and South, will solely play the opponents within their own division a total of ten times each with five games at home and five games on the road.
High viewership of the Northwoods League's free live video webcasts on NorthwoodsLeague.tv caused some opening-night technical problems.
The 2010 NWL Champions began 2011 with a win in Wausau, WI against the Woodchucks on Wednesday night.
The Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League has finalized its 2011 roster with the signing of six players, including three temporary players to begin the season on June 1st at Bill Taunton Stadium.
The Waterloo Bucks, a member of the Northwoods League, have announced the signing of outfielder Jack DeAno to their roster for the 2011 season. DeAno is currently a freshman at Purdue University.
