Madison, WI – March 26, 2008. The Mallards are excited to announce the signing of five new pitchers for the upcoming season. Headlining the group is LSU junior right-handed pitcher Nolan Cain (pictured). He pitched in the Valley Baseball League in Virginia last summer, making 20 appearances while striking out an eye-popping 45 batters in 32.2 innings. This season for the Tigers, he has a 3.00 ERA in nine appearances, holding opposing hitters to a .059 average. Cain’s entire biography along with those of four other future Mallards pitchers is detailed below (In alphabetical order). The Mallards eighth season begins on Thursday, May 29 at 7:05 p.m. against the La Crosse Loggers.
Nolan Cain, RHP, Junior, LSU – Two years removed from Tommy John Surgery, Cain rebounded nicely in 2007, pitching in a team-high 24 games with a 3.00 ERA and one save. All appearances were made in relief, with his longest outing coming against Tennessee on April 29 where he threw 2.1 scoreless innings. Cain has summer league experience, pitching in the Valley Baseball League in Virginia last year. He made 20 appearances, striking out 45 batters in just 32.2 innings. This season he has started strong, making nine appearances with an ERA of 3.00. He is stifling opposing hitters, holding them to a .059 BAA so far this spring.
Brian Hamilton, RHP, Sophomore, UNC Charlotte – A member of the Atlantic 10 All-Freshman Team in 2007, Hamilton put together a 6-1 record with four saves. He made the second-most appearances of any pitcher on UNC Charlotte, helping the team to a 17-3 record in games he pitched. Hamilton had an impressive streak in which he did not allow a run in seven straight games spanning 15.1 innings. He also made the Dean’s List his first two semesters at school. Currently, Hamilton is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in six appearances.
Kyle Heim, LHP, Sophomore, Iowa – In 2007, Heim made 12 appearances as a freshman, throwing 18.1 innings. He made five consecutive relief appearances (April 17 – April 29) without allowing a single run. This season, Heim has been very effective, making six appearances and throwing 9.2 innings with a 1-0 record and a 2.79 ERA.
Mike Jacobs, LHP, Sophomore, Iowa – After missing his entire junior high school season from a broken leg in basketball, he rebounded the following year and was named the Kansas Pitcher of the Year in 2006, his senior season. A teammate of Heim in Iowa City, Jacobs was 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA and one save in 2007, his freshman year. He made 19 appearances, including two starts, pitching a total of 40.1 innings. Jacobs has moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation this season for the Hawkeyes, and in four games has gone 2-2 with an identical 4.91 ERA.
Matt Jansen, LHP, Sophomore, Purdue – Jansen appeared in 17 games in 2007 as a freshman, starting three times. He posted a 3.31 ERA and had one save. Last summer he pitched in the New York Collegiate Baseball League for the Watertown Wizards, appearing in nine games, starting five, and posted a 2-3 record with a 3.94 ERA. This spring he has appeared in five games, starting two, with a 1-1 record.
Stay tuned to Mallardsbaseball.com as we announce all of the new faces who will be providing exciting baseball action for you this summer!
Opening Day is only 64 days away and counting! There is no better time than now to reward your employees, impress clients, or party with some friends by reserving a suite at the “Duck Pond” this summer! Learn more by calling us at 246.4277!
Group tickets are on sale and single-game tickets will be available for purchase on April 26 at 9:00 a.m.
The Mallards open its eighth season at the “Duck Pond” against the La Crosse Loggers on Thursday, May 29 at 7:05 p.m. Be sure to come early as we have a plethora of activities planned when the gates open at 5:30 p.m.!
