Madison, WI – April 20, 2010. It was announced Tuesday that four players from last year’s Mallards squad, including Madison’s all-time home run leader, Harold Riggins, will return to help lead the team into its tenth season in the Northwoods League.

Returning for the 2010 season is: (in alphabetical order)

Jacob Esch, RHP/IF, Sophomore, Georgia Tech. Esch returns for a second year after providing Manager C.J. Thieleke a very productive two-way player last summer who logged 23 games at third base, 14 at shortstop, six at second base, while also starting on the mound nine times. By the way, he ranked third on the team in both innings pitched (53) and strikeouts (42), only to turn around and become the team’s fourth best hitter at a .284 clip. His 11 doubles were also good for third on the Mallards. Esch’s best game happened July 30 when he went 3-for-4 with two out-of-here-in-a-hurry home runs and four RBI in an 8-7 loss to the rival La Crosse Loggers.

Esch has only seen action as a position player this spring, and has been his steady self in hitting .303 with six doubles, two home runs, and 25 RBI over 35 games.

“Esch is a perfect example of what an individual can accomplish from working hard day-in-and-day-out throughout a long Northwoods League season,” said Thieleke.

“Jake took a good summer campaign into the fall and it helped him win a starting job at second base for the Yellow Jackets.”

J.R. Graham, RHP, Sophomore, Santa Clara. Graham returns after making 17 appearances on the mound for the Mallards last summer in posting a 1-2 record and 4.67 ERA over a team-high 44.1 innings of work. He also recorded three saves. Manager Thieleke often states that when Graham “is on, his stuff rivals anyone in the game” and should be a big part of the Mallards bullpen. A two-way player, Graham also recorded seven hits and scored two runs over 37 at-bats.

This spring, Graham has posted a 1-1 record and 6.59 ERA over 13.2 innings of relief work. He has saved one game for the Broncos.

“J.R. gives us flexibility in being a two-way guy, but we’re really looking for him to improve on the mound this summer,” said Thieleke.

“This spring he’s been clocked in the 92 to 94 mph range and he knows this is going to be a big summer for him personally.”

Patrick Lala, RHP, Sophomore, Kirkwood Community College. Last summer Lala signed with the Mallards on July 26 as an injury replacement and was very effective in allowing three earned runs over 10.2 innings of bullpen work while striking out 13 batters. He figures to see a lot of work this season as a situational right-hander after his lights-out performance last July call-up.

Lala has signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Iowa beginning next fall.

“There’s quite a bit of buzz surrounding Lala this spring, and we’re excited to have him back considering how well he pitched for us last summer and the important role he’ll play as a late-innings reliever,” said Thieleke.

Harold Riggins, IF, Sophomore, NC State. Mallards’ fans took notice when Riggins stepped into the batter’s box last summer. Deservedly so, as the  6’4”, 230 pound, Normal, Illinois native had the most successful individual offensive performance in the team’s nine-year history by slugging a franchise record nine home runs and driving in a franchise-tying 48 runs. And yet, Riggins still tied Muller for the most hits (66), while posting a more-than-respectable .308 average for a true slugger over 57 games. Interestingly, only first baseman Jerrud Sabourin (Indiana) played more games (60) than the durable Riggins.

This spring has been no different for Riggins as he continues to blister the baseball and is hitting .346 with six home runs, 25 RBI and a team-leading .692 slugging percentage.

“Harold’s an exciting athlete and certainly adds some entertainment value for our fans’ viewing pleasure,” said Thieleke.

“It isn’t easy to find a bona fide power hitter in summer collegiate baseball so it’s an understatement to say that we’re ecstatic to have Harold back in Madison for a second year.”

These four returnees will join Sun Prairie-native and 2009 Team MVP Kurtis Muller (Iowa) who was signed in March.

The Madison Mallards are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. Opening Day is slated for Wednesday, June 2, at 7:05 p.m. against the Wisconsin Woodchucks.