By: Dylan Lee – Public Relations
Madison, WI – July 31, 2014. After a doubleheader sweep of the La Crosse Loggers yesterday, the Madison Mallards look for their third win in two days, today against the Kenosha Kingfish at the “Duck Pond.” First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm.
On the mound for the Mallards is A.J. Bogucki, a 6’3”, 200-pound righty out of the University of North Carolina. Bogucki has made quality starts as of late, pitching five or more innings in four of his last five games, holding a 2-2 record in that stretch. His last start, he pitched six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out five in a 4-1 loss to the Lakeshore Chinooks.
He is scheduled to face Kingfish starter J.D. Nielsen, a 6’6”, 205-pound southpaw from the University of Illinois. Nielsen is 3-2 with a 4.64 ERA in 13 appearances, and in his last start he went 3.2 innings, giving up three runs on four hits in a 5-3 win over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.
Last night, Mallards catcher Austin Barr (Stanford) led the Mallards over the La Crosse Loggers by a score of 8-4 in the second game of their home-and-home doubleheader.
In addition to a three run homer in the first inning, Barr had a two RBI double in the bottom of the sixth and finished 3-for-4 with five RBI and one run. He ended the day with nine RBI after hitting a grand slam in game one, and was named Northwoods League Player of the Night for his effort.
The Mallards scoring started in the first with Barr’s home run, and shortstop Tony Butler (Virginia) then singled in the fourth to drive in left fielder Logan Regnier (Central Michigan). Right fielder Connor Marabell (Jacksonville) followed later in the inning with a two RBI single to put the Mallards up 6-0.
The Loggers put one on the board in the sixth, but Barr responded in the bottom of the frame with a two RBI double. The Loggers would add two in the ninth before reliever Tim Black (Central Michigan) retired the last batter to complete the doubleheader sweep.
Mallards starter Rob McDonnell (Illinois) allowed one run on six hits while striking out three in six complete innings of work to get the win.
In game one, the Mallards beat the Loggers by a score of 13-1. Logan Regnier (Central Michigan) broke open the scoring in the second with a home run, and the Mallards offense followed with four more runs, three from first baseman’s Pete Alonso (Florida) blast later in the inning. They added two in the third, and Barr’s grand slam in the fourth inning brought the score to 11-0.
The Loggers responded with a run of their own in the eighth, but in the ninth Alonso hit his second home run of the game to bring the score to 13-1.
Mallards starter Devin Over (Connecticut) tossed five shutout innings in his first start, allowing two hits while striking out three in the win.
The Mallards are 8.5 games back of the first place Lakeshore Chinooks in the South Division second half standings, and overall they are 5.5 games back of the second place Kingfish.
For the Mallards to make the playoffs, they must win the second half or finish second in the overall standings as long as Lakeshore holds their second half lead.
The Mallards wrap up their home stand tomorrow at the “Duck Pond” against the Kingfish. First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm.
Tomorrow is the Charter Communications Two-Sided Star Wars Maynard Bobblehead Giveaway with a light side and dark side Maynard. Wisconsin Brewing Company will present a Ducktoberfest preview with polka music, and German themed food and games for all ages.
Mallards single game tickets are on-sale now. To purchase tickets, log on to MallardsBaseball.com, call 608-246-4277, or stop by the Mallards ticket office.
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The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit MallardsBaseball.com.
