The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Cullman Pitcher Chase Mallard Signs NLI With UAB Baseball
11/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 16, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB baseball program has announced the signing of Cullman, Ala., pitcher Chase Mallard to a National Letter of Intent during the early signing period.
Mallard, a right-hander, is entering his senior season at Cullman High School this coming spring, and he will enroll at UAB for the 2010-11 academic year. He comes from the same high school program as current Blazer junior pitcher Blake Huddleston.
Despite missing half of the 2009 season due to injury, Mallard posted a 5-3 record this past spring with a 3.18 ERA. He struck out 45 batters in 44 innings while walking just seven as Cullman advanced to the 5A state semifinals. A year earlier, he helped Cullman to the 2008 5A state championship.
As a senior in 2010, Mallard is likely to be the ace of the Cullman pitching staff.
"Cullman High School has a rich baseball tradition in our state, and we are thrilled to add another player who trained under Brent Patterson and Bryan Bowen," UAB head coach Brian Shoop said. "Chase is a great athlete who has unlimited potential. He has only pitched one and a half years and is already very good. We believe he will be a key member of our Blazer pitching staff for years to come."
Mallard, who has also been an infielder, played summer baseball for the Bama Bombers, coach by Tyler Strout. In 2008, he helped the Bombers' junior team to a fourth-place finish in the 16U USA Baseball World Championship in Jupiter, Fla.
In addition to competing with the Bombers this past summer, Mallard played in the Alabama High School Coaches Association North-South baseball doubleheader and also took part in Cullman's summer schedule.
"Having played for Cullman High School and the Bama Bombers in the summer, Chase is a winner and brings a great attitude to our program," Shoop said.
The son of Tony and Cindy Mallard, Chase Mallard is a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society at Cullman.
