By: Dylan Lee – Public Relations
Madison, WI – August 5, 2014. The Madison Mallards play host the Northwoods Big League Dreams Showcase today at the “Duck Pond” beginning at 4:05 pm.
The Big League Dreams Showcase features four mixed teams from the North and South Divisions with the top 100 players in the Northwoods League participating in a day of workouts and playing in a doubleheader later today.
In the first game, the North team will have players from the Rochester Honkers, Mankato MoonDogs, St. Cloud Rox and Willmar Stingers. The home South Division team will have players from the Kenosha Kingfish, Green Bay Bullfrogs, Lakeshore Chinooks, Wisconsin Woodchucks, and Madison Mallards pitcher Devin Over (Connecticut).
Over, a 6’1”, 204-pound sophomore from the University of Connecticut holds a 2.57 ERA in 20 appearances, and in his only start, he tossed five shutout innings against the La Crosse Loggers, allowing just two hits in a 13-1 victory on July 30th.
The second game, five Mallards compete for the South Division against a North Division team made up of players from the Alexandria Blue Anchors, Duluth Huskies, Eau Claire Express and Waterloo Bucks at 7:35 pm. The South team will have players from the Mallards, Battle Creek Bombers, Kalamazoo Growlers, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and the La Crosse Loggers.
Mallards playing in game two include catcher Drew Carlile (Bradley), first baseman Pete Alonso (Florida), outfielder Connor Marabell (Jacksonville), and pitchers Chris Oakley (North Carolina) and Tim Black (Central Michigan).
Carlile, a 6’2”, 220-pound catcher out of Bradley University has been solid behind the plate for the Mallards this year and is batting at a .270 clip, recording 38 hits and 17 RBI in 42 games with the club.
The infielder Alonso is the Mallards single season record holder in home runs, and currently is tied for the Northwoods League lead in that category with 18. He has 80 hits and 53 RBI to go along with his record setting season, and is batting a superb .354.
Marabell, a sophomore from Jacksonville University joined the team in early July and has been a steady presence in right field for the Mallards. The Jacksonville, Florida native is averaging over a hit a game with 49 in 34 games, and holds a .374 average with 24 RBI.
Oakley has seen action in 15 games for the Mallards on the mound, with four of those starting appearances. The 6’7”, 235-pound freshman from University of North Carolina has struck out 21 in 28.2 innings of work.
Black leads the Northwoods League in saves and holds the Mallards single season record in that category with 18. He is averaging over a strikeout an inning with 34 in 31.1 innings of work, and has held opposing batters to 19 hits while walking just five.
Before the game, there will be a 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner and NWL alumni Max Scherzer Bobblehead Giveaway presented by The Great Dane. Bobbleheads for the doubleheader will be given out when gates open at 3:00 pm.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Northwoods League Foundation. The Northwoods League Foundation utilizes the game of baseball to enrich the quality of life for children and families with an enduring and caring focus on Northwoods League communities.
To purchase tickets for the event, log on to MallardsBaseball.com, call 608-246-4277, or stop by the Mallards ticket office today.
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The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit MallardsBaseball.com.
