Napoleon’s Dynamite Performance Provides Spark for Hawkeyes

Madison, WI – March 26, 2007. For most collegiate coaches, any offense the catcher position provides is viewed as being a huge bonus. If this viewpoint holds true at the University of Iowa, then catcher Dusty Napoleon is providing mega dividends for the Hawkeyes. Napoleon remained white-hot last weekend as he had seven RBI’s and scored three runs on seven hits that included a double in a four-game weekend sweep of North Dakota State. He is now batting .388 for the year. Other future Mallards had noteworthy performances over the weekend as well. Below is a complete listing (in alphabetical order) of these seven players’ accomplishments.

Aaron Bray, INF, So., UNC Charlotte. Bray had three hits and scored five runs in a three game weekend series versus St. Louis University. He is now batting .276 and leads the 49ers in walks with 22.

Jordan Comadena, C/INF/OF, Jr., Purdue. Comadena scored three runs on four hits that included a double in a three game weekend series versus Western Illinois University. He leads the Boilermakers in doubles (10), home runs (4), and slugging percentage (.721).

Russell Harben, SS/3B, Jr., South Alabama. Harben hit his first home run of the season and added two doubles during a three game series against Louisiana Monroe.

Adam Pasono, INF/OF, So., Xavier. Pasono had two RBI’s and scored four runs on five hits to help the Musketeers sweep Dayton University in a three-game set last weekend.

Jim Sajewich, RHP, So., Illinois State. Sajewich allowed two hits in 3 2/3 innings of relief during a game against Southern Illinois on Saturday.

Travis Sweet, INF/OF/P, Jr., Iowa. Sweet had three RBI’s and scored three runs on six hits to lead the Hawkeyes to a four game sweep over North Dakota State.

Steve Turnbull, RHP, So., Iowa. Pitching the tail-end of a doubleheader against North Dakota State on Friday, Turnbull picked up the complete game victory after allowing two hits and striking out seven batters in seven innings of work.

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 http://www.mallardsbaseball.com/.

Mallards in the Big Ten

Big Ten Players Continue Hot Start to 2007
Madison, WI – March 19, 2007. The Mallards were well represented by Big Ten Conference teams last weekend. Leading the charge was University of Iowa infielder Travis Sweet who had six RBI’s and scored three runs on five hits during a Friday doubleheader against Dallas Baptist and Fresno State. He is now hitting .364 and leads the Hawkeyes with 16 hits and 13 runs in 10 games. Other future Mallards had noteworthy performances over the weekend as well. Below is a complete listing (in alphabetical order) of these seven players’ accomplishments.
Jordan Comadena, C/OF, Jr., Purdue. Comadena’s blistering start to the 2007 season continued as he had two RBI’s and scored five runs on six hits that included a lead-off home run in a three-game series versus Samford last weekend. He is now hitting .442 and leads the Boilermakers in runs (17), doubles (9), home runs (4), RBI’s (16), and walks (13).
Dusty Napolean, C/1B, Jr., Iowa. Napolean had eight RBI’s on five hits during a two-game Friday/Saturday series versus Dallas Baptist. His 15 RBI’s lead the Hawkeye’s squad.
Eric Nielson, C, So., Purdue. Nielson continued to make the most of his playing time and is now hitting .462 (6-13) after adding three hits in two games versus Samford.
Chris Roberts, OF, Jr., Michigan State. Roberts drove in the game-winning run with an RBI double in the top of ninth inning to lead the Spartans to a 4-3 victory over Oklahoma Friday. He also collected two hits in Sunday’s game.
Joseph Spiers, SS/1B, Jr., San Diego State. Spiers’ four hits and two RBI’s helped lead the Aztecs to two wins over UCLA last weekend.
Daniel Webb, OF, Jr., Illinois. In two games versus Yale and Jacksonville State University Webb had two RBI’s and scored four runs on three hits, including one double. He is now batting .308 for the season.
Brandon Wikoff, INF/P, Fr., Illinois. Wikoff scored two runs and had three hits in a 17-5 win over Yale on Sunday. He upped his average to .400 and is now tied for the team lead with 18 hits.
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.

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.