July 6, 2008. With Colorado Rockies centerfielder Willy Taveras still nursing a sore left quad, former Mallard Ryan Spilborghs (2001) continues to swing a hot bat while hitting leadoff for the Mile-High club. In the first three games of a four game series versus the Florida Marlins ending Sunday, Spilborghs (pictured) was 7-for-14 with seven runs and five RBIs that included two home runs. He is currently hitting .309 on the season with 6 home runs and 31 RBIs. Spilborghs was the Mallards co-MVP in the team’s inaugural season, hitting .331 with 13 doubles. After his 2002 season at Santa Barbara, he was selected by the Rockies in the MLB Free Agent Draft. Spilborghs’ Rockies visit Wisconsin for a 4-game series versus the Milwaukee Brewers beginning Monday. Listed below are other statistics of Mallards alumni having productive seasons in professional baseball.
Name, Current team (level), College attended
Ryan Rogowski, Inland Empire (Single-A), Illinois. Rogowski is having a solid season for Los Angeles Dodgers Single-A Affiliate, Inland Empire, hitting .271 with 11 doubles and 34 RBIs in 72 games. He has also swiped 30 bases in 37 tries. The fleet-footed outfielder played two seasons (2004-’05) for the Mallards and was named the Northwoods League MVP in 2005 after hitting .345 with 52 runs scored and 44 stolen bases, all franchise single-season records that stand today. He also owns the hits record for a season with 86.
Mike Rohde, Gary Southshore (IND), Illinois. Rohde continues to swing a good bat in the Northern League after being traded from the Schaumburg Flyers last season. On the year he is hitting .295 with seven doubles and 23 RBIs. The first four-year Mallard played for the team from 2003 to 2006 and holds career batting records in RBIs (87), hits (175), at-bats (676) and games played (219).
Ryan Zink, Charleston (Single-A), Illinois-Chicago. Zink spent last summer in Staten Island (A-) before being moved up to Charleston in the New York Yankees farm system for 2008. On the year he has a 3.63 ERA in 17.1 innings of relief work. The Madison, WI native was 6-1 with a 3.23 ERA in 47.1 innings last season for the Staten Island Yankees. He made one start for the Mallards 2007 on June 8, posting a solid seven innings of work while only allowing two hits. He also played on the Mallards 2004 Northwoods League Championship team with Rogowski.
The Mallards will be hosting the 2008 Northwoods League All-Star Game on July 13th and July 14th. The Homerun Derby, the Military All-Stars vs. Home Talent League All-Stars Game, and the All-Star Fan Fest will take place on the 13th, while the Northwoods League All-Star Game will take place at 7:05 pm on July 14th. Great seats are still available and can be purchased either online at mallardsbaseball.com or by calling the ticket office at (608) 246-4277.
