MADISON, Wis. --- Crown College Baseball's Eric Newman pitched two scoreless outings and recorded a save in his debut for the Madison Mallards during the past week. This campaign is Newman's second stint in the Northwoods League (NWL) after joining the Mankato Moondogs in 2019, the first time the NWL signed a Crown College athlete.

On June 3, Newman had his first appearance with the Mallards, pitching a clean final inning to preserve a one-run lead and earn the first save of his career over the Wisconsin Woodchucks. They once again called his name against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters later in the week in a high-scoring game. He was the most effective pitcher for the Mallards in that contest, going 1.1 innings of scoreless ball and not allowing any inherited base runners to score. 

The Mallards offered the senior ace a spot after his stellar senior season, where the American Baseball Coaches Association named Newman to the Midwest All-Region Third Team, and the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference named him to their First Team All-Conference.

The Northwoods League has positively impacted developing pitchers into the major leagues, with Cy Young winners Max Scherzer and Chris Sale competing at the heavily competitive summer league on their way to Major League Baseball. 

Teammate Seth Betts has also been competing in the Northwoods League for the Rochester Honkers. Unfortunately, the two teams are in different divisions, so it wouldn't have been possible for the two athletes to face each other outside of the playoffs.

Both players have remaining eligibility as the past two seasons the NCAA is granting waivers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as Storm Baseball looks to build on their record-breaking season in 2021.