Madison, WI – July 3, 2008. The Madison Mallards received much-needed help this week with the signing of left-handed junior pitcher Brant Combs (Missouri St.) and right-handed redshirt junior pitcher Kyle Rutter (NC State) to bolster a bullpen in need of power arms. The addition of Combs and Rutter comes after the Mallards waived Russell Harben (S. Alabama) due to a season-ending foot injury and Evan LeBlanc (Santa Clara), whom signed with the New York Mets after being drafted in the 23rd round of the June MLB Amateur Draft. Bio’s of the newcomers are listed below.
Brant Combs, LHP, junior, Missouri State. The Kansas native joins the Mallards after having pitched for the Duluth Huskies last summer, posting a 5-3 record and 2.64 ERA in 44.1 innings of relief that included 11 saves. Combs pitched two years at Missouri before transferring to nearby Missouri State this season, throwing 16 innings in 13 appearances for the Bears in the spring. His Mallards debut came on July 1st against the North Division Champion Mankato MoonDogs in a 3.1 inning, 3 hit, 1 run performance.
Kyle Rutter, RHP, RS junior, NC State. Rutter joins teammates Drew Martin and Travis High at the midway mark after having thrown 22 innings of relief this past spring, good for a 3-1 record and 4.50 ERA. Rutter also made the Wolfpack’s postseason roster and provided great late-inning holds.
The Mallards are hosting the 2008 NWL All-Star Event on July 13 & 14.
Fan Fest on Sunday, July 13 will feature an unveiling of the World’s Largest Sausage (60’6″…sound familiar? by Stoddard’s Meat Market; free autographs from every All-Star; trivia contests; game program photo shoots; home-run robbing catches, and kids Home Run Derby! The event will run from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. just in time for the Home Run Derby. Which contestant will knock the most balls out of the “Duck Pond?”
On Monday, July 14, watch the most talented collegiate ballplayers in the country battle in the NWL All-Star game to be televised live on ESPNU at 7:05 p.m.! Come show the nation what baseball in Madison is all about!
Log onto Mallardsbaseball.com or call the ticket office at 608.246.4277 to order your tickets today!
