Madison, WI – August 9th, 2016. The Northwoods League Major League Dreams Showcase on Tuesday night turned out to be a successful one, with over 50 MLB scouts taking in great baseball in Madison. The top prospects in the league, as handpicked by scouts, were separated into four squads, playing an exhibition-style doubleheader.
The showcase began with the players participating in several drills, such as fielding groundballs, making throws to various bases, and taking swings in batting practice. The appetizer to the main showcase gave the scouts in attendance a great opportunity to see the players in simulated situations.
Game one of the showcase was loaded with star power, including the league home run leader Daulton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee), the saves leader Garrett Schilling (Xavier), the owner of the highest batting average in the league in Steele Walker (Oklahoma) and the reigning Northwoods League MVP Mason McCoy (Iowa). The visiting team came out victorious, topping the home squad by a score of 6-5. The contest saw a myriad of lineup changes, allowing each individual the best opportunity to demonstrate their talents for the scouts.
Chase Hamilton (Austin Peay State) turned in one of the better performances of the afternoon, collecting two hits and knocking in two runs in the eventual win. The centerfielder’s RBI double in the eighth brought home the difference making run.
The nightcap of the doubleheader was a higher scoring affair, with the visitors proving victorious by a final score of 9-7. Five home runs were hit in the contest, three of which came in the top half of the sixth. The sixth inning saw eight runs scored between the two teams, ultimately altering the outcome of the game.
Daniel Jipping (Central Michigan) delivered the most decisive blow of the evening, launching a three-run homer to deep left. His team batted around in the sixth-run frame.
Though the contests ended up being run-heavy, elite pitching was also on display at the Duck Pond. Luke Shilling (Illinois) and Troy Bacon (Santa Fe College), both Mallards, hit 95 MPH on the gun en route to scoreless frames. In a showcase in front of Major League scouts, numbers like that definitely stand out.
“It’s always important to do your best when you’re performing in front of people that make decisions on your future,” said Shilling. “It’s a great opportunity that you must take advantage of.”
The Mallards will return to the Duck Pond on Wednesday, August 10th, to take on the Willmar Stingers at 7:05 pm. The game will be the last regular season home game of the season. It will be Cutter Night at the Duck Pond as well as JJO I Love the 90's Night. The game will feature Fan Appreciation Night presenting ZOOperstars! It will also be Bacon Appreciation Night and CAT Night. Tickets are available for purchase by visiting MallardsBaseball.com, calling the Mallards ticket office at 608-246-4277, or stopping in the ticket office at 2920 N Sherman Ave.
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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 23rd 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 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.mallardsbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and set the Mallards as your favorite team.
