If the 2007 Mallards are going to lead the Northwoods League in team ERA for a third consecutive year, Bubba O’Donnell’s right arm will be an integral part of it. The High Point University junior was named the Big South pitcher of the week after scattering five hits and striking out nine in a complete game shutout against East Tennesssee State on Saturday. O’Donnell did not allow a runner to reach second base after a third inning double. Other former and future Mallards had noteworthy performances over the weekend as well. Below is a complete listing (in alphabetical order) of these six players’ accomplishments.
Aaron Bray, INF, So., UNC Charlotte. Bray had two RBI’s and scored three runs on four hits to help the 49ers sweep a four game series versus Le Moyne.
Bobby Hubbard, OF, Jr., Furman. Hubbard scored two runs on four hits in a three game series against UAB. He is now hitting .319 (15-47) through 12 games.
Evan LeBlanc, OF, So., UC Santa Clara. With five hits, including two doubles and a triple in three games versus Fresno State, LeBlanc upped his average to .338 (23-68) on the season.
Jim Sajewich, RHP, So., Illinois State. Sajewich picked up his first win of the season after allowing just one hit in 4.1 innings of work against Southeast Missouri on Friday.
A pair of former Mallards and UNC Charlotte teammates are also enjoying hot starts to their spring seasons. Senior right-hander Adam Mills was named the Atlantic 10 pitcher of the week after allowing two-hits while striking out 12 batters in a 5-1 win over Le Moyne Friday. Mills, now 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA, has won three of the five Pitcher of the Week awards given by the conference this season. He has 62 strikeouts in 43.2 innings pitched for Charlotte. Mills had a 2.76 ERA in 71.2 innings last season for the Mallards.
Meanwhile, Mills’ battery mate, senior catcher Kris Rochelle, had a pair of hits in the game, extending his hitting streak to 12 straight games and improving his season average to .500
(24-48). Rochelle has been retired only twice in his last 17 plate appearances, including five walks and ten hits. He caught two seasons for the Mallards.
The Madison Mallards open the 2007 season against the Eau Claire Express on Thursday, May 31, 2007. Group and season tickets are on sale now. Single game tickets go on sale Saturday, April 28. For more information please call the Mallards ticket office at 608.246.4277 or log onto www.mallardsbaseball.com.
