Madison, WI – March 27, 2008. The Mallards are excited to announce the signing of Josh Groves, a junior utility player at UW-Milwaukee and native of nearby Monona Grove. As a senior at Monona Grove High School, Groves (pictured) was named to both the Badger Conference First-Team and to the All-State First Team by the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association. In that same year he was also tabbed the Wisconsin State Journal Football Player of the Year. On the diamond a year prior he was named to the All-State Second Team after hitting .461 with two home runs, 20 RBI’s, and a .697 slugging percentage. Groves’ entire biography is listed below. The Mallards eighth season begins on Thursday, May 29 at 7:05 p.m. against the La Crosse Loggers.
Josh Groves, IF, Junior, UW-Milwaukee. Groves is off to a fast start this spring for the Panthers, hitting .308 (20 for 65) with eight RBI’s and a team-leading .462 slugging percentage. In 2007 he had a breakout season as a sophomore, leading the team with a .396 batting average that ranked sixth in the Horizon League. He was also named to the All-Horizon League First Team as a utility player having made starts at 3B, 1B, C, and DH and going error-free in the field in 156 chances. Groves hit .458 (49 for 107) from April 1 through the end of the season that included a career-best 16-game hitting streak. He was clutch during last year’s Horizon League Tournament, batting .474 (9 for 19) with five doubles, six runs, and eight RBI’s. The opportunistic Groves also hit .360 with runners in scoring position.
Mallards head coach C.J. Thieleke is impressed with Groves’ versatility and consistent offensive production.
“Josh is the type of baseball player that might get overlooked in the eyes of scouts and evaluators, but the thing that’s been apparent is his consistent ability to hit no matter which league he’s competing in,” said Thieleke.
“He’ll get plenty of playing time at first and third base, and he’ll even catch on occasion, giving us coaches a lot of different lineup combinations day in and day out. Josh is the type of kid where you’ll have to tear his jersey off to get him away from the baseball diamond. He won’t be overwhelmed by the Northwoods League.”
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 63 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.!
