Dec 19, 2018 3 min read

Wild Things sign 2

The Wild Things signed catcher Nick Garland and right-handed pitcher Matt Murphy for their second professional seasons.

Nick Garland joins the Wild Things after a brief stay with the now defunct Normal Cornbelters. He was limited to one game in the Frontier League after graduating from Central Connecticut State University.

As a Blue Devil, Garland brought consistency behind the plate. His career 33.1 percent caught stealing number was one of the best in program history, which included throwing out 44.4 percent of runners are a senior. On offense, he hit .258 in 2018 with careers highs of 4 home runs, 29 RBI and 22 walks.

“Nick is a player we heard positive things about and he was slated to attend our workout in June. Normal ended up having an immediate need and signed him away.” said Assistant GM Tony Buccilli. “He is noted for having pro-quality defensive skills and his numbers reflect the impact he can have on a running game. He is going to bring a unique wrinkle to our catching group”, Buccilli stated.

Murphy signed with Washington after a season with the now defunct Traverse City Beach Bums. As a rookie, he made 12 appearances and 11 starts for the then East Division foe. He struck out 52 batters, and walked only 16 in 57 innings while compiling a 3-5 record.

Hornqvist activated

The Pittsburgh Penguins have activated forward Patric Hornqvist from injured reserve.

Hornqvist, 31, is Pittsburgh’s fourth-leading goal scorer this season with 12 goals. He has added seven assists for 19 points in 24 games. Prior to missing the last six games with an upper-body injury, Hornqvist had scored eight times and totaled 13 points in his previous 10 games.

At The Meadows

Teddy Brosevelt trotted softly for most of the mile but carried a big kick late, winning a division of Wednesday’s Holiday Claiming Series for $20,000 claiming trotters at The Meadows. Pembroke Morgan captured the other $16,000 second-leg split.

Teddy Brosevelt was fourth at the top of the lane, but when trainer/driver Tyler Stillings cut him loose, he gobbled up the leader, Campbellini, and held off Invested In Lindy by a head to score in 1:59. Campbellini saved show. Rags To Riches Of PA campaigns the 3-year-old Guccio-Princess Royalty gelding.

Pembroke Morgan, who broke stride in the series opener, followed the live cover of Mac Deeno for Mike Wilder and swept by the leader, IC Caviar, in the stretch to defeat him by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:57, matching his career best. Mac Deeno completed the ticket. Randy Bendis trains and owns the 4-year-old CR Power Glide-Pembroke Glitz gelding.

Wednesday’s card also featured the second leg of a Holiday Claiming Series for $10,000 claiming trotters. Dave Palone and trainer Ron Burke swept the splits with Boy Meets Girl K and J-S Jesses Girl.

All six current Holiday Claiming Series conclude on a special New Year’s Eve card that also features the career finale of Foiled Again, the richest Standardbred all time with earnings exceeding $7.6 million. First post Dec. 31 is 5:30 PM.

In the NHL

St. Louis Blues defenseman Vince Dunn has been fined $1,942 by the NHL for cross-checking Edmonton Oilers forward Jujhar Khaira.

The league’s department of player safety announced the fine Wednesday. The money goes to the players’ emergency assistance fund.

The cross-check occurred at 9:00 of the third period in the Blues’ 4-1 victory Tuesday night in Edmonton. Dunn was assessed a minor penalty.