Archive for March, 2010
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
(Wisconsin Rapids, WI) The Rafters added to their pitching staff in a big way today with the signings of Jason Dovel (Vanguard University) and a pair of Valparaiso University teammates in Damon McCormick and Steve Godawa.
Named as one of four team captains on the 2010 squad, Dovel is off to a great start in his first year at Vanguard University. A junior transfer from Cal State Fullerton, Dovel has been a fixture in the Lions rotation this spring after being used primarily out of the bullpen a year ago. In seven starts thus far, the lefty has posted a 3-0 record with a sparkling 2.61 ERA. In his 38 innings of work, Dovel has allowed only 22 hits while logging 22 strikeouts.
As impressive as he has been on the mound, Dovel has also excelled at the plate when given the opportunity. Through 12 appearances, six starts, Dovel has swung the lumber to an average of .444, with 3 doubles, 2 home runs, and 10 RBI. He also has three walks while having struck out only twice.
A 2007 graduate from La Mirada High School, in La Mirada, California, Dovel was named All-League from 2005 to 2007 and was All-CIF in those same years. He also was a major contributor in leading his team to the CIF finals at Dodger Stadium. Born in Torrance, California, Jason is a Business Administration major at Vanguard University.
Primarily a right handed pitcher, McCormick is in the midst of his junior year at Valparaiso University. Appearing in five games, three starts, he has posted a 2-0 record with a 5.48 ERA so far this season. In limited duty at the plate, McCormick is batting .188 and is 3 for 3 in stolen base attempts.
As a sophomore in 2009, McCormick appeared in 47 contests while starting in 44 of those games. He led Valparaiso with 14 stolen bases which ranked him 3rd in the Horizon League in that category. Last season McCormick also made seven appearances on the mound while allowing just two hits and only one unearned run all season. As a freshman, he started all 40 games he appeared in while tying for second on the team with six stolen bases.
McCormick was the recipient of many accolades while attending Saint Xavier High School, including being a two-time All-Region selection, earning All-District honors in 2006 and 2007, and being named Honorable Mention All-State as a senior. He is originally from Louisville, Kentucky and is a finance major at Valparaiso University.
Primarily coming out of the bullpen, Godawa has begun his junior season appearing in 9 contests while posting a 13.97 ERA for the Crusaders. As a sophomore, he saw action in 19 games while making one start and earned his first college save on February 21st, 2009 in a game against Morehead State. He was named to the Horizon League’s Fall and Spring Academic honor rolls as well as being voted to the Horizon League All-Academic Team. As a freshman he made 27 appearances out of the bullpen, which tied him for third in the Horizon League and was named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team.
Godawa is originally from Buffalo Grove, IL, where he was captain and two year letter winner for his high school baseball team. He was an All-Mid Suburban League selection, and All-Area pick, and set the Buffalo Grove High School record by scoring 50 runs during his senior season.
Ticket Packages and Group Tickets are on sale now! For more information call (715) 424-5400 or visit www.raftersbaseball.com. The Rafters will play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2010. Opening Day at Witter Field is scheduled for Sunday, June 6 at 6:05pm vs the Eau Claire Express.
Tags: Damon McCormick, Jason Dovel, Steve Godawa, Valparaiso University, Vanguard University, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
(Mankato, MN) The Mankato MoonDogs announced today that they have signed a pair of infielders for the upcoming 2010 season. Sophomores Mike McQuillan (University of Iowa) and Chad Zurcher (University of Memphis) look to shore up the middle infield for the defending 2009 First Half North Division Champs.
Zurcher, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, is in his third season at the University of Memphis. After starting 52 of a possible 53 games as the everyday shortstop for the Tigers as a true freshman in 2008, Zurcher was forced to redshirt in 2009 due to a shoulder injury.
“Chad is going to be a great addition to our team,” said Field Manager Mike Orchard. “He is a top of the order guy that will fit our mold at the shortstop position.”
So far in 2010, Zurcher has made the most of his redshirt sophomore campaign. Starting all 24 of the Tigers games so far this season, he currently leads the team with a .422 batting average. Zurcher also possesses tremendous speed, leading the Tigers with 13 stolen bases in 15 tries on the year.
McQuillan, who grew up in Evergreen Park, Illinois, made a strong contribution to the Hawkeyes as a freshman in 2009. He finished the year second on the team, and the leader amongst Iowa freshmen with a .363 batting average. McQuillan hit his stride as his freshman campaign progressed hitting a team-high .431 in Big Ten play.
“Mike is a hard worker. He will be the first person to the field and the last person to leave everyday,” Orchard said. “He is a versatile all around good player.”
Through 20 games in 2010, McQuillan has started all but one. He has posted a .279 average and he currently leads the Hawkeyes with two home runs and 15 runs batted in.
The Mankato MoonDogs Home Opener is scheduled for Wednesday, June 2 at 7:05 against the Rochester Honkers. Single game tickets will go on sale in early May. Season tickets are now on sale at the new MoonDogs office located 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information visit the MoonDogs website at www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs Office at 507-625-7047.
Tags: Chad Zurcher, Mankato MoonDogs, Mike McQuillan, University of Iowa, University of Memphis
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Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
(Green Bay, WI)The Green Bay Bullfrogs have three more commitments, all from the University of Portland, for the 2010 season. Beau Fraser, a catcher, and two pitchers, Keeler Brynteson and Owen Jones, will join teammate Riley Henricks on the Bullfrogs roster.
Fraser is the first catcher the Bullfrogs have signed for 2010. This will be his first year with the Bullfrogs. Fraser is off to a solid start in his sophomore year. Fraser has appeared and started in 18 games for the University of Portland. He leads the Pilots in batting average (.419) and runs batted in (22). Fraser is also tied for the team lead with three home runs.
Brynteson, a native of Anacortes, Washington, will be in his first season with Green Bay. To start his sophomore year, Brynteson has posted a record of 2-3 with one save. He has 10 appearances this year; all out of the bullpen. Brynteson has pitched seven and a third innings and struck out 11. He has posted an ERA of 6.14.
Jones, a right handed pitcher, will also be in his first year as a Bullfrog. Jones has not started a game for the Pilots but has appeared in eight contests. He has an ERA of 0.00 in 13.2 innings. Jones has 12 strikeouts on the year. He is holding opponents to a batting average of .178.
The Bullfrogs are scheduled to open their season on June 2 against the Battle Creek Bombers at 6:35 P.M. at Joannes Baseball Stadium in Green Bay. Season and Group Tickets for the 2010 season are on sale now. For more information on the Bullfrogs, visit our website www.greenbaybullfrogs.com.
You can also follow the Bullfrogs on Facebook and Twitter.
Tags: Beau Fraser, Green Bay Bullfrogs, Keeler Brynteson, Owen Jones, Riley Henricks, University of Portland
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Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
(Wausau, WI) The Wisconsin Woodchucks have signed Pepperdine pitcher Jordan Luvisi for the fast approaching 2010 season. Luvisi, an Arizona native, is a 6’2” left-handed true freshman for the Pepperdine Waves, starting off his collegiate career as a reliever.
Luvisi has pitched four innings thus far through his freshman campaign, and has posted some pretty impressive numbers- especially for a freshman lefty. Luvisi has allowed only two hits and had four strikeouts to the tune of a .154 opponent BA (tops on the team).
 Luvisi starred at the plate, on the mound, and at the hockey rink while attending Notre Dame Prep High School in Arizona. While showing off his athleticism by posting the highest Nike SPARQ score in Arizona, Luvisi led his baseball team to a trio of state runner-up titles while winning two state hockey championships. Luvisi batted .372 with 31 RBI and 10 HR as a senior, while posting a 1.53 ERA- allowing just 32 hits in 60 innings pitched. He would go on to be named All-State (for hockey as well), All-Region, and Regional Player of the Year for three consecutive years.
Luvisi’s high school performance, coupled with his athleticism, impressed enough to warrant being drafted out of high school by the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, he chose to attend Pepperdine for its baseball program and academic esteem.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the summer season with the Woodchucks,” said Luvisi on joining the team. “I’m hoping just to help them win games and make a run in the playoffs.” He will be joined in Wausau this summer by current teammate at Pepperdine, third baseman, Chris Amezquita.
The Woodchucks 2010 home opener is on Thursday, June 3rd as they take on the Madison Mallards. For group outing/ticket information contact the Woodchucks office at 715-845-5055 or visit the new Woodchucks website at woodchucks.com.
Tags: Chris Amezquita, Jordan Luvisi, Pepperdine University, Wisconsin Woodchucks
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Friday, March 26th, 2010
(Rochester, MN) The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club announced today their closer from the 2009 championship team, Arik Sikula, will return for the 2010 season. Sikula will be joined by Marshall University teammate and fellow pitcher Ian Kadish.
Sikula is a 6-foot 198-pound  right-handed junior pitcher. He is currently is 3-2 with a 3.12 ERA. Sikula has made 7 relief appearances, pitching 17.1 innings and striking out 12. Last summer for the Honkers, Sikula finished the regular season 3-1 with a 1.14 ERA. He appeared in 30 games, pitching 39.0 innings, and struck out 51. He held opponents to a .203 batting average against. Sikula recorded 2 saves during the postseason including game three of the NWL Championship Series.
 Kadish is a 6’1”, 196-pound junior righthander that is the Thundering Herd’s Friday night starter. He is currently 1-2 with a 6.12 ERA over 5 starts. Kadish has recorded 20 strikeouts in 25.0 innings of work. As a sophomore, Kadish pitched 23.1 innings in 19 appearances and struck out 20.
Marshall University participates in their first Conference USA series this weekend, at Tulane. Ian Kadish will start game one, Friday night, and Sikula will get his first starting opportunity on Sunday afternoon.
The Rochester Honkers 17th season begins on June 2nd when they travel to Mankato, MN for a 7:05pm start. Their home opener is Thursday, June 3rd against Mankato at Mayo Field starting at 7:05pm. Season Tickets, Bonus Books, Suites and Patios are now available. Call the Honkers office at 507-289-1170 for more information.
Tags: Arik Sikula, Ian Kadish, Marshall University, Rochester Honkers
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Thursday, March 25th, 2010
(Madison, WI) The Madison Mallards are excited to announce the signings of Michael Wacha and Estevan Uriegas, two up-and-coming pitchers from Texas A&M.
 A true freshman, Wacha currently leads the Aggies with 32.2 innings pitched, while his 3 wins, 1.38 ERA, and 41 strikeouts are good for second on the team. He has appeared in nine games, starting two of those contests. The most telling statistic of Wacha’s strong command of the strike zone lies in his scary-good 30:1 at bat-to-walk ratio.
While in high school, Wacha was a two-time all-state selection at Pleasant Grove in Texarkana, Texas, after leading the Hawks to the state semifinals as a senior, and posting a 6-3 record. A year prior, the right-hander went 16-3 and led the team to the state championship game. Listed at 6’6”, Wacha also lettered three years as a forward in basketball.
 Uriegas, a situational left-handed reliever, has appeared in nine games and has a 2.08 ERA in 4.1 innings of work this spring. A year ago, he ranked fourth on the staff with 18 relief appearances. He finished last season with a 1-1 record and 3.09 ERA. The lefty combined for 2.1 innings of no-hit relief in two outings against top-15 teams in Oklahoma City at the Big 12 Tournament. Uriegas played in the Alaskan League last summer and led the Mat-Su Miners (Palmer) to the league championship.
Aggie senior catcher Joe Patterson played for the Mallards last summer and was a very consistent hitter in the lineup, posting 29 RBI, 8 doubles, and 5 home runs over 53 games. He is currently hitting an eye-opening .425 with 8 doubles, 3 home runs, and 15 RBI through 20 games.
Other notes: Outfielder Wes Luquette will no longer join the Mallards this summer after leaving the LSU program for undisclosed reasons.
Tags: Estevan Uriegas, Joe Patterson, Madison Mallards, Michael Wacha, Texas A&M University, Wes Luquette
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Thursday, March 25th, 2010
(Willmar, MN) The Willmar Stingers continue to add players to their 2010 inaugural roster with three recent additions. The Stingers signed two infielders and one outfielder this week which puts the roster officially at 10 players. Signing contracts this week were junior first baseman Andrew Haake (University of Nebraska-Kearney), sophomore first baseman Eduardo Gonzalez (Alcorn State University), and freshman centerfielder Isaac Ballou (Marshall University).
Haake is a left-handed hitter who hit 11 home runs last season with the Lopers and had 49 RBI. He also scored 46 runs and had 13 doubles. The Beatice, Nebraska native played for the Yorktown Cardinals of the Western Major Baseball League in Canada last summer, where he hit .261 with 7 home runs in 37 games. He played his first two years of collegiate baseball at Cloud County Community College in Kansas. Currently, Haake is hitting. 323 with 3 home runs this spring.
Gonzalez was named to the 2009 Louisville Freshman All-American Team last year, selected by Collegiate Baseball. The Lutz, Florida native finished the season with a .407 average, which was 1st in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and 43rd in the country. He was named as the SWAC Freshman of the Year. To date he is currently leading his team with a .411 average this spring.
Joining Haake and Gonzalez is switch-hitting Isaac Ballou. Ballou is a quick athletic outfielder who homered in his first collegiate game this spring and is 9 for 9 in stolen base attempts. During his high school days at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, he swiped 100 stolen bases. “I’m happy with how our guys are performing this spring,” Stingers field manager Matt Hollod said. “I think fans will enjoy seeing Isaac roam centerfield at Bill Taunton Stadium. He is a multiple tools guy with a lot of potential.”
The inaugural season home opener is Thursday, June 3 vs. St. Cloud. Season tickets are currently available for $149 for reserved seat backs and $169 for box seat season tickets. For more information regarding the roster and upcoming season, please call 320-222-2010.
Tags: Alcorn State University, Andrew Haake, Eduardo Gonzalea, Issac Ballou, Marshall University, University of Nebraska Kearney, Willmar Stingers
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Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
Thunder Bay announced today the return of two more players from the 2009 Border Cats’ roster with the signings of outfielder Garret Houts and first baseman Curtis Wagner. In addition, the Cats also signed outfielder Brad Felder for the 2010 season.
Houts, a 6′0″, 185 pound junior at the University of Southern California, played in 54 games for the Cats last season batting .247. The Fort Collins, CO native had one home run and eight runs batted in and was second on the club with 16 stolen bases.
Wagner also plays his collegiate ball at Santa Clara University. The 6′1, 200 pound left handed hitter, batted .259 last season in 39 games for Thunder Bay. Wagner, who hails from Manhattan Beach, CA added two home runs and 13 RBI.
Felder is in his sophomore season at The Citadel Military College in Charleston, SC. The left handed batter has played in 18 games this spring and his hitting .231 with four home runs and 13 runs batted in. Felder, a native of Bowman, SC, stands 6′1″ and weighs 200 pounds.
The Border Cats open the 2010 Northwoods League season at Port Arthur Stadium on June 2, at 6:35 p.m. against the Duluth Huskies.
Tags: Brad Felder, Curtis Wagner, Garret Houts, Santa Clara University, The Citadel, Thunder Bay Border Cats, University of Southern California
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Elder is a 5’11”, 190-pound red shirt junior outfielder. He is currently hitting .282 with a team high 17 RBI. Elder has started every game for the 5-7 Golden Eagles, 10 in left field and 2 as their designated hitter. Elder’s season at ORU was cut short last year when he suffered a season-ending injury after their 6th game. Prior to ORU, Elder spent two seasons at Sacramento City Community College.
Davis is a 6’2” 215-pound right-handed pitcher. He has made three relief appearances so far on the season, holding opponents to a .111 batting average against. Davis also spent his first two collegiate seasons at Sacramento City Community College. As a sophomore he was 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA. He allowed just 10 hits in 23.2 innings of work, while striking out 26. He appeared in 9 total games, 8 of which were in relief.
Fadness is a graduate of Eau Claire Memorial High School and is the starting catcher at South Mountain. In 18 games this spring, he ranks second on the team with a .356 batting average, is tied for the team lead with six doubles and leads the Cougars with ten runs batted in. Will last year became the fourth Fadness to play for the Express, joining brothers Ty (2005), Mickey (2007) and Nolan (2008-2009).
Florez is a 6-foot-1-inch, 185-pound freshman for the Lobos. The right-hander had an outstanding career at Las Cruces High School, ranking fourth in New Mexico state baseball history with 175 strikeouts. He was named to the All-State and All-District teams from 2008-2009. Florez has not yet pitched this spring for New Mexico and is likely to be red-shirted this season.
House, a 6-foot-4-inch pitcher, has been used mainly out of the bullpen this spring for New Mexico. In seven appearances, the freshman is 1-0 with one save and a 4.03 earned run average. House was drafted in the 25th round by the Boston Red Sox out of High School, but chose instead to attend college.
Mares, a 6-foot right-hander, has begun his freshman season mainly as a starting pitcher. In three appearances, including two starts, he is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA. As a high school senior, Mares was the All-City and All-District Most Valuable Player and was the winning pitcher in the Texas State Championship game.
Silva is a 5-foot-10-inch, 175-pound sophomore. The right-hander is Yavapai’s closer, with 12 saves in 20 appearances thus far. His performance has been nothing short of dominant, as he has 48 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched to go along with a 0.93 ERA. Silva was equally impressive as a freshman, finishing with a 0.84 ERA, 17 saves and 41 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched.
