LHP, 6’0” 185 , B: L T: L
  Illinois State
  Hometown: Western Springs, Il

LHP Dan Sorce is a great addition for the Mallards pitching staff. He will be able to contribute as both a starter and a set up man. Sorce is a control pitcher who will get many batters out because of his location and ability to hit the corners. In spring of ’07 Sorce went 1-5 with a 6.75 ERA and struck out 25 in 49.1 innings pitched for Illinois State. In ’06 Sorce led the redbirds in 27 games appeared on the mound. He was second on the team with two saves and fourth on the team with a 5.56 ERA. He picked up his first collegiate victory against Central Michigan on 3/17 and posted at least one strikeout in 21 of his 27 appearances.

Dan, how did you get into baseball?
“Most of it came from my Dad; he played for a long time. He played junior college and then went to Miami, Florida to play college baseball and was then drafted by the Texas Rangers organization. He still teaches me so much about the game.”

Who was your favorite player growing up?
“Actually I had a couple, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux. I feel that I throw the same way as they do. Both work the corners and get many batters out.”

How has your game developed from high school to college?
“Well in high school the one through four batters in the line up were great hitters and in college every batter is good. You have to be smarter and in more control of your pitches in college because the competition gets difficult.”

How do you prepare yourself for a game or a start?
“I pretty much relax and think about game situations. I find it important before I enter a game or a start to work on the mentality aspect of the game and understand what I have to do on the mound in order to help the team win.”

What made you decide to go to Illinois State?
“All the other schools around Illinois suggested that I should go to Junior College and Illinois State was the one program that trusted me to make an impact at that level right away.”

What are you going to work on this summer to improve your pitching?
“Basically my velocity, if I can add speed to the way I can hit certain spots that would only make me a better pitcher.”

What is one of your fondest memories of playing ball?
“That’s a good question because I have so many. I threw a no-hitter as a senior in high school and helped my team win the state championship. In addition, I played in the National Baseball Congress World Series tournament with Prairie Gravel of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League, and we won the championship in 2005.

What is one word that summarizes you as a ball player?
“Actually if I could use two, it would be mentally tough.”

What do you think of C.J. as a field manager?
“He is a great coach and he knows everything about the game. C.J. is an all around guy who is one of the better coaches in the league on and off the field.”

If you were left on a deserted island, what two essential items would you need?
“That’s an interesting question, but I would probably say a girl and most likely a glove, that would be it.”