The Madison Mallards are pleased to announce the re-signing of four players from last year?s Northwoods League First-Half Championship team. Left-handed pitcher Jake Hansen, infielder Doug Beck and right-handed pitchers Cody Hall and Kyle Yates will be returning to the Duck Pond at Warner Park for the 2004 season.
“We are very excited to have these four players returning to Madison this season,” Mallards Head Coach Darrell Handelsman said. “These four guys were great representatives of the Mallards organization and a large part of the reason for our record-breaking season last year.”
Hansen, a 2003 NWL post-season All-Star, is back with the Mallards after one of the best individual summers in league history. The Northern Iowa product recorded a 1.23 ERA in 2003, giving him the second best single season ERA in league history. Hansen led Mallards starters with a 5-1 record, notching 59 strikeouts in 58.2 innings of work.
Also making his return to Madison for the summer is infielder Doug Beck. The Littleton, Colo. native was the Northwoods League Silver Glove Award winner at second base in 2003. Beck was tied for the team lead in games played (60) and ranked second on the squad in runs scored (27) and stolen bases (16). One of the vocal leaders of the 2003 Mallards, Beck is red-shirting at Texas Tech this season.
Hall, a Baylor junior, will become the first three-year Mallard in franchise history. Hall appeared in 19 games going 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 2003. The Waco, Texas native struck out 24 while only walking nine hitters in 36 innings. Hall is the Mallards all-time leader in appearances with 29.
Yates, who is in his first year with the Texas Longhorns, who is ranked No.1 in the Coaches Poll, leads the team with 10 appearances this season. The reliever has a 2.49 ERA striking out 26 batters in 21.2 innings out of the bullpen. With the Mallards in 2003, Yates was 4-2 with a 2.15 ERA and a franchise record eight saves. The Midland College transfer also was in the lineup as an outfielder and designated hitter for the Mallards with three home runs and 24 RBI.
The Mallards 2004 home opener is June 9th at 7:05 P.M. against the Mankato MoonDogs. The Madison Mallards set a Summer Collegiate Baseball record averaging 4,411 fans per game for a season total of 136, 751 fans in 2003.
