By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — July 22, 2013. Two Madison Mallards pitchers and two Mallards position players will play for the 2013 Northwoods League South Division All Star team on July 23rd in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Luke Staub (George Washington), Sam Forkert (Marian), Drew Weeks (North Florida) and John LaPrise (Virginia) have been selected by the 16 member teams of the Northwoods League. Ballots were cast by each team’s field staff and media contacts.
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters led the South Division with five selections while the Mankato MoonDogs led the entire Northwoods League with six.
Manager Donnie Scott and his coaching staff will also be in the dugout for the second time in three years.
On Tuesday, July 23rd, a fan fest that will give fans the opportunity to meet the all-stars and get autographs will be held at Carson Park beginning at 4 pm while the annual Home Run Derby is set for a 6 pm start. The game will begin at 7:35 pm.
Staub, a 6’2,” 200-pounder from Peoria, Illinois, leads the Northwoods League in ERA with a mark of 1.57 over 46 innings of work. He has a record of 3-3, has 42 strikeouts and has issued only six walks in his eight starts.
Forkert’s ERA of 0.77 primarily out of the bullpen was also enough to give him a selection in his second year with the Mallards. He has allowed just three earned runs over 34.2 innings of work and has walked only eight batters. He is 3-0 on the season and has allowed 21 hits while striking out 35 batters.
LaPrise become eligible for the Northwoods League batting average title about two weeks ago and has held a comfortable lead ever since. His .426 batting average is .052 points higher than the second-ranked hitter. Through 35 games this summer, LaPrise has five doubles, two triples and 24 RBIs while boasting a .468 on-base percentage.
Outfielder Drew Weeks (North Florida) rounds out the Mallards in the All Star game. He is tied for the Northwoods League in RBIs with 48 and has knocked the ball out of the ballpark six times. He also boasts a .325 batting average, which is good for 17th in the league.
Weeks’ selection marks the second-consecutive year that a Mallards player from North Florida makes the mid-season classic. Tyler Marincov was the lone Mallards selection last season.
Mallards closer Hunter May (UNC-Charlotte) will not participate and is no longer on the Mallards roster due to a violation of team rules.
The Madison Mallards are your Northwoods League South Division First Half Champions! Playoff tickets are on-sale now!
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. In 2013, the Northwoods League is celebrating its 20th season.
