Madison, Wis. –The Madison Mallards have announced the return of three pitchers for the 2017 campaign. Right handed hurlers Heath Renz (UW-Whitewater), Luke Matheny (Oklahoma State), and Mitch Vogrin (Illinois State) will return to the Mallards this season.
Renz, a 6’2”, 210-pound junior from Jefferson, WI will be back with the Mallards after an impressive 2016 season. Renz started ten games during last year’s campaign and proved to be one of the Mallards workhorses as he pitched 44 innings, which placed third on the team. He posted a 3-0 record during the regular season, along with a team leading 1.84 ERA.
Renz, a junior at the UW-Whitewater, has an impressive track record of collegiate success. During his 2016 sophomore season, he tossed 52 innings and finished with a 2.42 ERA and a record of 6-0. Renz struck out 40 while only issuing ten walks. As a freshman, Renz pitched 27.1 innings and ranked fourth on the team with 33 strikeouts.
Matheny, a 6’2”, 200-pound sophomore from Chesterfield, Missouri will return to Madison after an efficient season last year. Matheny pitched in ten games, starting five, and finished with an impressive 1.24 ERA. Matheny finished the season strong, tossing six innings of scoreless baseball, while allowing just three hits and striking out seven in an August start against Wilmar.
During his senior year at Westminster Christian HS, Matheny went 6-3 with a 1.27 ERA. He struck out 70 batters in 60.2 innings of work. Following his senior season, he was named a Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American.
Matheny is the son of current St. Louis Cardinals manager, Mike Matheny. Luke’s brother, Tate, played for the Mallards in 2013.
Vogrin, a 5’9”, 205-pound junior from Channahon, Illinois will be back with the Mallards after being a key contributor in the bullpen last season. Vogrin made 20 appearances in 2016 for the Mallards, with all but one coming in relief. He tossed 31.1 innings and compiled a 2.30 ERA. Vogrin racked up 36 strikeouts, including six in an impressive relief appearance in the Mallards Northwoods League playoff game against Battle Creek.
During his sophomore season at Illinois State, Vogrin made 25 appearances and totaled 31 strikeouts in 30.1 innings on the mound. He ranked second on the team in strikeouts per nine innings. As a freshman with the Redbirds, Vogrin pitched in 14 games, all in relief. In 17 innings of work, he posted a 5.29 ERA which was the best mark among Illinois State pitchers working exclusively in relief.
The Mallards will open their season at home on Tuesday, May 30th at 6:35 PM against the Fond Du Lac Dock Spiders. Group tickets for the 2017 season are on sale now. Single game tickets go on sale Saturday, April 29th at 9:00 AM. For information call the Mallards Ticket Office at 608-246-4277, email info@mallardsbaseball.com or stop by the ticket office at 2920 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison, WI.
