Madison, WI – June 13, 2012. Four future Madison Mallards will compete on college baseballs biggest stage. Freshman catcher Taylor Gushue (Florida), freshman pitcher Bobby Poyner (Florida), sophomore pitcher Daniel Gibson (Florida), and redshirt freshman pitcher Josh Pierce (Kent State) are all on teams that have clinched spots in the 2012 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Florida Gators entered the post-season as the number one overall seed and the favorite to take home a national championship. They have not disappointed, going 5-0 in winning the Gainesville Regional and Super Regional. They will face the South Carolina Gamecocks this Saturday, June 16th in the College World Series. First pitch is scheduled for 9:00 pm ET.
All three Gators who are coming to Madison have had a significant impact on the team this year.
Gushue has played in 50 games for the Gators, including 38 starts. So far in 2012 he has hit five home runs and drove in 21 RBIs, playing mostly as a first baseman and designated hitter. Poyner has made 19 appearances out of the bullpen and started two games. This season he has carried a 1-1 record and 3.22 ERA. He has made three appearances late in games for the Gators in the Regionals and Super Regionals, in 2.0 innings this postseason Poyner has allowed one run, and one hit while striking out a pair. Gibson has made 23 appearances out of the bullpen for the Gators, compiling a 1-1 record and 2.96 ERA.
The Kent State Golden Flashes have made a miraculous run to make it to their first ever College World Series. They defeated the Oregon Ducks 3-2 on a walk-off bloop single to win the Eugene Super Regional. They will play the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday, June 16th at 5:00 pm ET.
The Golden Flashes opened Regional action by beating Kentucky 7-6 in a 21-inning marathon that lasted six hours and 37 minutes. They went on to win the Gary Regional by again beating Kentucky and then went on to upset Oregon to win the Eugene Super Regional and advance to Omaha.
Pierce, a 6’1”, 225 pound right-hander has been steady all season for the Golden Flashes. In 19 appearances out of the bullpen he has a 2.93 ERA and 1-0 record. He has also been highly efficient on the mound, racking up 25 strikeouts in just 27.2 innings.
The Mallards will have to wait just a bit longer for these four young collegiate stars as they battle for their claim of NCAA Championship over the next two weeks.
The Mallards return to the “Duck Pond” tonight to take on the Battle Creek Bombers. It will be The Payroll Company Police Appreciation Night at the Ballpark featuring Erik Estrada from the hit TV show ChiPs.
The 2012 season is upon us! Single-game tickets are on-sale for all Mallards home games.
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 League in North America.
