{"id":6122,"date":"2019-08-07T16:27:22","date_gmt":"2019-08-07T21:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/duluth-huskies\/?p=6122"},"modified":"2022-11-09T10:27:15","modified_gmt":"2022-11-09T16:27:15","slug":"mallards-host-2019-major-league-dream-showcase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/duluth-huskies\/2019\/08\/07\/mallards-host-2019-major-league-dream-showcase\/","title":{"rendered":"Mallards Host 2019 Major League Dream Showcase"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Players participate in a workout followed by a double-header for 60 MLB scouts<\/strong><\/p>\n

By: Chelsea Roemer, Mallards PR<\/p>\n

MADISON, Wis.- The Northwoods League\u2019s top 100 players gathered at Warner Park in Madison, Wisconsin, on Tuesday August 6, for the 2019 Major League Dreams Showcase. Players competing in the showcase are hand-picked by scouts from the Great Lakes and Great Plains divisions.<\/p>\n

The purpose of the showcase is to give the players an opportunity to demonstrate their talents in front of the scouts, in hopes of having a shot of making it into the MLB Ranks. Hand picking the players that will perform makes the showcase stand out against how a typical All-Star Game runs, with a player representing every team.<\/p>\n

The day consisted of a player workout followed by a pair of nine-inning games under the watchful eyes of 60 scouts. In the early afternoon, players showed off their heavy arms and fielding skills, by throwing base to base from their respective positions. The second part of the workout consisted of players ripping baseballs to various parts of the field during a routine batting practice.<\/p>\n

Game One<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The first game came down to the wire in the bottom of the ninth. A walk-off RBI by La Crosse Loggers\u2019 JT Schwartz (UCLA) gave the home team a 4-3 victory.<\/p>\n

In the top of the first, the visiting team grabbed a quick 2-0 lead off an error on the infield and a sacrifice fly from St. Cloud Rox Jordan Barth (Augustana College).<\/p>\n

The home team\u2019s bats came alive in the bottom of the third. Back-to-back RBI singles by the Mankato MoonDogs Josh Elvir (Angelo State University) and Schwartz tied the game at 2-2.<\/p>\n

Carrying the momentum into the bottom of the fourth, the bats remained hot for the home team. An RBI single by Eau Claire\u2019s Brandon Dieter (Stanford) gave the home team its first lead of the game, 3-2.<\/p>\n

However, the lead did not last very long. In the top of the fifth, an RBI by St. Cloud\u2019s Gus Steiger (South Dakota State University), sent a runner home to tie the game for the second time. The score remained 3-3 heading into the sixth.<\/p>\n

A lively offense for both teams was not present from the sixth until the bottom of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth with one out, Schwartz became the hero for the home team after slamming an RBI single with the bases loaded to pull out the triumph.<\/p>\n

The win was awarded to Jack Filby (UCLA) after he prevented the visiting team from scoring.<\/p>\n

The loss was handed to John Bezdicek (Southwest Minnesota State University) after he gave up the walk-off RBI single to lose the game.<\/p>\n

Turning Point<\/u><\/p>\n

An RBI single by Steiger tied the game at three, almost causing the competition to go into extra innings.<\/p>\n

Top Players<\/u><\/p>\n