By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations

Madison, WI — July 26, 2013. The Northwoods League announced Friday afternoon the rosters for the 2013 Big League Dreams Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin at Warner Park on Monday, July 29th.

Nine players on the Mallards roster will be playing in the 7:05 pm game that night after participating in workouts in front of scouts throughout the day. Catcher Jason Goldstein (Illinois), second baseman John LaPrise (Virginia), third baseman Geonte Jackson (San Jacinto CC), shortstop Erik Forgione (Washington), outfielders Tate Matheny (Missouri State), Joe McCarthy (Virginia) and Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State), and pitchers Cam Verbeke (Illinois State) and Taylore Cherry (North Carolina) were selected by Major League Scouts to compete.

The Big League Dreams Showcase consists of a double-header featuring Northwoods League players that were selected by a panel of Major League Baseball scouts. The first game will begin at 4:05 pm and will feature teams from the Rochester Honkers, Thunder Bay Border Cats, Willmar Stingers and Duluth Huskies in the North Division and players from the Battle Creek Bombers, Green Bay Bullfrogs, Eau Claire Express and the Wisconsin Woodchucks in the South Division.

The second game, which is scheduled to begin at 7:05 pm, will feature teams from the Alexandria Blue Anchors, St. Cloud Rox, Mankato MoonDogs and Waterloo Bucks in the North Division and players from the Madison Mallards, Lakeshore Chinooks, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and La Crosse Loggers in the South.

Goldstein, who is second on the Mallards with a .321 batting average, is one of two catchers listed on the 7:05 pm roster for the South Division. Through 32 games this summer, he has hit one home run and knocked in 12 runs and walked 21 times.

LaPrise, Jackson and Forgione will be covering the infield for the South Division. LaPrise leads the Northwoods League in hitting with a .431 batting average and has 24 RBIs. He has also swiped 12 bases.

Jackson and Forgione have seen slightly less time this summer with the Mallards but have impressed with the time that they have been given. Forgione is hitting at a .238 clip through 27 games and has one home run and 14 RBIs while being stellar defensively at shortstop. Jackson, who has played in 21 games this summer, is hitting .204 with a triple and five RBIs.

Matheny, McCarthy and Fitzgerald will roam the outfield for the South Division in the contest. Matheny, who just finished his freshman season at Missouri State, leads the Mallards and is tied for 14th in the Northwoods League in home runs with seven. He has appeared in 47 games and has scored 42 times while knocking in 33 runs and has a batting average of .267.

McCarthy was named the ACC Freshman of the Year this past spring and has continued his success here in Madison. He is hitting .286 with three long balls and 29 RBIs while hitting in the No. 3 hole in the Mallards lineup. 

Fitzgerald is tied for second in home runs for the Mallards with six and is hitting .264 with 24 RBIs. 

Verbeke, a junior and native of Elmwood Park, Illinois, has been about as consistent as they come both out of the bullpen and starting for the Mallards this summer. He sports a record of 5-2 and has an ERA of 3.55 in 43 innings of work. He also has struck out 49 batters.

Cherry, a 6’9,” 260-pound freshman from Dayton, Ohio, struggled with his control coming out of the gates upon arriving in Madison but has settled down and put together some quality innings. The righty is 1-0 through five starts and has an ERA of just 3.04 but has issued 20 walks to 17 strikeouts.

Proceeds from the Big League Dreams Showcase will benefit the Northwoods League Foundation. The Northwoods League Foundation uses baseball to enrich the quality of life for children and families by enduring and caring for members of Northwoods League communities. 

 Click here to view the 2013 Northwoods League Big League Dreams Showcase rosters.

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.