May 29, 2012- Madison, WI. The Madison Mallards have announced the signings of ten players to temporary contracts. These players are junior right-handed pitcher Will Lamarche of Chabot College, redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Matt LaMothe from Georgia College and State University, junior left-handed pitcher Cody Forsythe from Southern Illinois University, sophomore left-handed pitchers Mario Venturini of Miles College and Sam Forkert from Marian University, sophomore catchers Mike Wieland of Heartland College, Bobby Burns from Parkland College, and Mike Reuvekamp of the University of California-Berkeley, junior infielder Seth McMullen from Winona State University, and redshirt freshmen outfielder Bryce Barsness of Madison College.
“Temporary players are an integral part of the success of any team in our league during the first half,” Mallards manager Greg Labbe said, “When we sign temporary players we do so with the thought that when one of our full contract players cannot report we already have the part to replace him.”
Lamarche, a 6’2″, 185 pound junior from Amador, California was the most reliable pitcher on a quality Chabot pitching staff. His quality year on the mound in 2012 earned him a scholarship offer from this year’s SEC champion LSU Tigers, which he has already accepted. Prior to joining Chabot in 2012 Lamarche spent two seasons in 2011 and 2010 with Long Beach State. In high school Lamarche led Amador Valley High School to the Sac-Joaquin Section two of the three years he lettered.
LaMothe, a 6’0″, 165 pound redshirt junior out of Troy, Michigan had a phenomenal season with Georgia State and College. His appearance in green this summer will not be LaMothe’s first stint with the Mallards. In 2010 he made 12 appearances for the club, including 10 starts. Over that stretch he was a pillar of the Mallard’s rotation, compiling a 2.67 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 54.0 innings of work. In 2012 he made 21 appearances for Georgia State and College and carried a 2.70 ERA while recording seven saves and 38 strikeouts. Prior to joining the team he played his first two seasons of collegiate eligibility at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. In those two seasons he made 17 appearances that included 11 starts for Oakland, posting a combined 3-5 record and 5.25 ERA. During his time in Rochester he was also named Second-Team All-Summit League As a prep he was a standout at Troy Athens High School, lettering all four years and being named All-League and All-District three years.
Forsythe, a 6’0″, 155 pound junior from Calvert City, Kentucky was once again the ace of a quality Southern Illinois staff in 2012. This year he started in 14 games for the Salukis, winning four games and compiling a 2.79 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 93.2 innings. In 2011 Forsythe had a breakout year, being named First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference after finishing the year with a 2.35 ERA. While in high school he was a three-time All-Conference selection. His 13-1 record and 0.70 ERA his senior year was good enough for him to be named the Semi-State Most Valuable Player and earn All-District and All-Region honors.
Venturini, a 6’2″, 210 pound sophomore from Kalispell, Montana was lights out as a starter at Miles in 2012, posting a 3.27 ERA and a team leading 76 strikeouts. In 2011 he had similar success in his first collegiate season, compiling a 3.37 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 52.0 innings of work. Prior to coming to Miles he was a standout player on his Glacier High School team.
Forkert, a 6’6″, 220 pound sophomore out of Sister Bay, Wisconsin was impressive for Marian in his second season with the team. In 2012 he made nine starts for the Sabres, posting a 2-5 record with a 3.81 ERA. His freshmen year in 2011 he had nine appearances for Marian, compiling a 5.82 ERA in 34.0 innings. As a prep at Gibraltar High School he was an All-Conference and Player of the Year selection.
Wieland, a 6’1″, 200 pound sophomore from Rock Island, Illinois emerged as an explosive player at the plate in 2012. In his second season of collegiate eligibility Wieland started all 48 games at catcher for Heartland, hitting .312 with 28 RBIs. Prior to joining Heartland he played his first season of collegiate eligibility at Iowa Western Community College in 2011. Before Iowa Western Wieland was a standout catcher for Rock Island High School.
Burns, a 5’9″, 175 pound sophomore from Las Vegas, Nevada had a great year with Parkland College in his second season of collegiate baseball. Prior to joining Parkland he began his college career in 2011 at the College of Southern Nevada. In high school he was a key piece of his Faith Luthern team.
Reuvekamp, a 5’9″, 150 pound sophomore out of Orinda, California was a solid contributor on a competetive Cal squad. In 2012 he started 12 games for the Golden Bears, hitting .298 with five RBIs. Prior to deciding to transfer to Berkeley Reuvekamp was a standout at Diablo Community College in 2010. As a prep he was named First-Team All-DFAL and led his Miramonte High School team to a North Coast Section title in 2009.
McMullen a 6’2″, 205 pound junior out of Wausau, Wisconsin was an absolute force for the Winona State Warriors in 2012. In his third season at Winona he started all 50 games at shortstop for the team, batting .360 with nine home runs and 49 RBIs. In 2011 he was second on the team with eight home runs, and had 49 RBIs. In 2011 he was second on the team with eight home runs, and had 33 RBIs. Also in 2011 he spent his summer playing for another Northwoods League team in the Rochester Honkers, playing in 19 games and collecting 10 hits. His freshmen year he hit .350 for the Warriors and drove in 29 RBIs. Prior to coming to Winona McMullen was the centerpiece of the team at Wausau West High School.
Barsness, a 6’2″, 180 pound redshirt freshmen from Black Earth, Wisconsin was an excellent addition to Madison College this season. After redshirting last season he broke into the Wolfpack lineup this year, starting in 38 games and hitting .355 with 23 RBIs. In high school Barsness was a standout at Wisconsin Heights High School, lettering all four years and being selected All-State his senior year.
“Our temporary players this year all have the qualities to be very good players in the Northwoods League and could have taken full contracts in other leagues,” Labbe added, “The group we have assembled should help us get off to a good start this summer.
The 2012 season is upon us! Single-game tickets are on-sale for all Mallards home games!
The Mallards will host their season opener against the Battle Creek Bombers on May 30th at 7:05 pm at the “Duck Pond.” Fans take advantage of the team’s opening series special this Wednesday and Thursday, for $20 will receive two field box tickets, two hot dogs, and two sodas. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 608-316-DUCK, or in-person at the “Duck Pond” ticket office.
The Madison Mallards are part of the 16-team Northwoods League. The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.
