Northwoods Green Bay Rockers

Paller Hits His Way to Tremendous Entry with Bullfrogs

Published on June 23, 2015 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release


Robb Paller with Columbia University
Robb Paller with Columbia University
(Green Bay Rockers)

Green Bay, Wis.- Robb Paller was picked up from the Milwaukee Mitchell Airport by the Bullfrogs' charter bus VIP style last Friday. He was the only passenger. And he rolled up moments before the Bullfrogs' game with Lakeshore that evening. Green Bay had just received one great player.

In his first game, first pitch, Paller walloped a line drive shot that one hopped the right-field wall. He later scored, one of three runs in the first inning, and the Bullfrogs beat Lakeshore 6-2.

They have not lost since.

Over his short trio of games in a Bullfrogs' uniform, Paller is 5-for-11 with six runs scored. Last night, he charged a home run into the right-field Leinenkugel's Fan Deck for his first home run this season. It was one of three hits for the Brooklyn, NY native.

"[Mazzoccoli] threw one breaking ball for a strike and then tried to come back with it again, missed, missed again, and I was ready for the fastball," said Paller of the pitch sequence that led to his home run. "I was just trying to get to the middle of the field, and he left it middle-in, a good pitch to hit. I Just got enough of it, wind blowing out, short porch, I'll take it."

Paller, a corner outfielder, has been another cornerstone of an outfield that features a slew of talent including Logan Taylor (Louisville/13-for-34 batting), Caleb Ratzman (Illinois State/ 1st NWL 21 SB), Paul Jacobson (South Dakota State/2nd Year Bullfrog), and Connor Ross (Ft. Hays State/9HRs with Tigers).

He played last year with the Thunder Bay Border Cats, a teammate of Ty Blankmeyer, and fellow New York-area native. And Paller led Thunder Bay with 9 HR and 47 RBI.

Paller is a rising senior Columbia University. Yes, that Columbia. He has been a part of the last two NCAA tournament teams from the Ivy League powerhouse.

Columbia was a late-inning run shy of advancing to the super regionals in 2015, ultimately falling by a run in the Coral Gables, FL finals to the University of Miami who made it to Omaha.

"It was a great run, we beat everybody in the regional, we just fell a little short," said Paller. "Coach Boretti has done a fantastic job. We prepare so well in practice. We practice so hard everyday."

In 2014, Paller was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team with a .296 AVG and team-high 35 RBI. After Columbia was bounced from the NCAA playoffs, he finished on the Coral Gables All-Region Team going 4-for-8 in two games against Texas Tech and Bethune-Cookman.

2012, his first year at Columbia, Paller was a backup to current Seattle Mariners farmhand, Dario Pizzano (AA-Jackson), who is on pace to make it to the big league club this season or certainly the next.

During batting practice before a game against Kenosha, Paller discussed the confidence Pizzano showcased in college and even showed off Pizzano's unique batting stance routine.

Like Pizzano, Paller hits left-handed, has traversed the difficult juggling act of Ivy League academics and major college baseball, and has a marked ability to make plays in the outfield, to hit for both average, and power.

"It's a tough school. I try to focus on doing the best I can in class and managing time well," said Paller of playing at Columbia. "We think we are as good as anyone in the country. It's the work ethic."

Paller and the Bullfrogs are 14-11, just 3.5 games behind the Kenosha Kingfish for the South Division lead.

Single game tickets are on sale now. Visit www.greenbaybullfrogs.com to purchase tickets. The Bullfrogs' business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Robb Paller with Columbia University
Robb Paller with Columbia University
   



Northwoods League Stories from June 23, 2015


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