Hubbard Provides Heat on a Frigid Weekend

Madison, WI – April 9, 2007. As an arctic blast was wreaking havoc on many college baseball teams’ schedules throughout the weekend, it was evident Furman Junior outfielder Bobby Hubbard sure didn’t seem to mind. The future Mallard (see picture) scored four runs and had five RBI’s on eight hits that included two home runs in a three-game series versus UNC-Greensboro. He upped his average to .322 and leads the Paladins in runs (17), hits (37), doubles (8), slugging percentage (.513), and stolen bases (5). Other former and future Mallards had noteworthy performances over the weekend as well. Below is a complete listing (in alphabetical order) of these four players’ accomplishments.
Adam Mills, P, Sr., UNC-Charlotte. Former Mallard Mills is bringing new meaning to the phrase “lights out.” He was named the Atlantic 10 pitcher of the week for the fifth time after tossing a complete game 2-hit shutout against St. Joseph last Thursday that included a career-tying 14 strikeouts. Mills is now 8-1 with a 1.06 ERA.
Bubba O’Donnell, RHP, Jr., High Point. O’Donnell picked up his third win of the year after allowing three runs on six hits in seven innings of work. His eight strikeout performance was a season-high.
Adam Pasono, OF, INF, So., Xavier. Pasono scored two runs on four hits in a three game series versus Richmond last weekend.
Jim Sajewich, RHP, So., Illinois St. Sajewich recorded his second win of the year in a four inning relief appearance versus UNI. He allowed two hits and struck out three batters to preserve the 10-9 victory.
The Madison Mallards open the 2007 season against the Eau Claire Express on Thursday May 31, 2007. Group and season tickets are on sale now. Single game tickets go on sale Saturday, April 28. For more information please call the Mallards ticket office at 608.246.4277 or log onto www.mallardsbaseball.com.

Waterloo adds two more pitchers

• Waterloo has signed RHP Jay Broughton from Ball State. Jay was named Most Valuable Pitcher for the fall season.

• The Bucks also added RHP Tom Boleska of High Point University. Tom is 2-1, 3.48 with one save and 14 strikeouts in 9 appearances this spring.

• Ball State RHP Brenden Stines picked up his second win of the spring today, striking out seven in 6.1 innings against Akron.

• C/1B Brent Milleville is hitting .314 this spring with Stanford and currently has a five game hitting streak.

• OF Deric Manrique is hitting .316 with a team high 8 steals this spring at Northern Iowa.

• RHP Brandon Hennessey has struck out seven and walked one in 7 appearances this spring for San Jose State.

Mallards making debuts in 07

Three Iowa Hawkeyes have been signed to play for Madison this summer. C/1B Dusty Napoleon has thrown out 4 of 24 baserunners and has not commited an error behind the plate this season. CF Travis Sweet played in the infield and pitched last spring. He has been named Big Ten player of the week once this spring and is hitting .364 with 2 HR and 6 steals. RHP Steve Turnbull has 14 strikeouts in 12.1 innings this spring.

RHP Jim Sajewich and LHP Dan Sorce from Illinois State will make their Northwoods League debuts this summer. Jim is 1-1, 2.53 in 7 appearances this spring. Dan threw a no-hitter as a high school senior.

INF Aaron Bray was a freshman All-American for UNC-Charlotte. Aaron has 5 steals this spring.

A pair of teammates at San Diego State will be coming with plenty of summer college baseball experience. INF Joe Spiers has played in the Cape Cod League and the Alaska Baseball League the past two summers. LHP Donnie Hume has played in the Cape Cod League and the California Collegiate League. Donnie has struck out 31 and only walked 5 in 5 starts this spring.

Michigan State will be represented in Madison by a couple of notable prospects. RHP Mark Sorensen was selected as one of the top 10 prospects in the Great Lakes Collegiate League by Baseball America last year. His father Lary Sorensen played 11 seasons in the majors. INF Chris Roberts was ranked the No. 2 newcomer in the Big Ten according to Baseball America. Chris was selected in the 27th round by the Cleveland Indians in the 2006 MLB Draft.

RHP Bubba O'Donnell pitched a complete game shutout for High Point University last weekend to earn Big South Pitcher of the Week honors.

INF Brandon Wikoff is hitting .385 with one steal this spring. Illinois teammate OF Daniel Webb spent the last two summers playing for the Delaware Cows of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.

OF Evan LeBlanc is hitting .324 with 1 HR for UC-Santa Clara this season.

The other signings that have been announced by Madison are SS Russell Harben of South Alabama, INF/OF Adam Pasono of Xavier, and C Eric Nielsen of Purdue.

Wisconsin

The Woodchucks biggest addition for 2007 will be new manager and former Milwaukee Brewer great Jim Gantner. Having the sons of two former major league baseball players and an ambidextrous pitcher on the team should make for an interesting summer.

Joining Jim this summer will be his son Matt Gantner. Matt is an outfielder at High Point University in North Carolina.

RHP Brett Bochy is a freshman at Kansas, and is the son of San Fransisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy.

INF Daniel Descalso led the Woodchucks with 10 steals last year. He also pitched two innings without giving up a run. This spring he is hitting .273 with 1 hr and 2 sb at UC-Davis.

Descalso

INF Steve Gerstenberger led the Big Ten last year with 7 triples. Through three games for Michigan State this spring he is batting .333 .

INF Elliot Arrington led UNC-Asheville last year with a .349 average and 46 RBI.

P Pat Venditte was one of three known ambidextrous pitchers in college baseball in 2006. He led Creighton last year with 54 strikeouts in 62.2 innings. This spring he has struck out 16 in 12 innings.

OF Jordan Stine led UW-Whitewater in 06 with a .397 average and 12 steals. As a Merrill, WI native he will be playing very close to home this summer.