July 21, 2010
Eau Claire, Wisc. - Louisiana Tech's Mark Threlkeld was champion of the 2010 Northwoods Home Run Derby was hosted by the Eau Claire Express at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisc. Tuesday night.
The Home Run Derby consisted of eight players across the Northwoods League, a summer baseball league comprised of some of the top college players from across the nation and North America. Represeting the Duluth Huskies, Threlkeld won the derby over Madison Mallard Kyle Gaedele (Valparaiso).
Along with Threlkeld, participating were from the North Division, Duluth Huskies teammate Cody Asche (Nebraska), Rochester Honker Richie Jimenez (UNLV) and Thunder Bay Border Cat Tanner Nivins (Stony Brook).
The South Division participants were 2009 champion Harold Riggins (NC State) and Madison Mallard teammate Kyle Gaedele (Valparaiso), Green Bay Bullfrog Scott Schebler (Wichita State) and Steve McGuiggan (Illinois Chicago) of the host Eau Claire Express.
The Home Run Derby first round saw Threlkeld (4), Gaedele (2), Jimenez (1) and Nivins (1) all advance to the second round. The second round was the Mark Threlkeld and Kyle Gaedele show. The final round featured a North Division participant and a South Division participant in Threlkeld and Gaedele respectively.
Threlkeld, who is currently tied for the league lead in homeruns, took the title by beating Gaedele 1-0. Threlkeld hit nine homeruns on the night.
For the season, the Tech junior-to-be is leading the league in extra base hits (22), tied for first in the league in home runs (7) and doubles (14) and third in the league in slugging percentage (.546).
