After snapping a three-game skid, the Mallards enjoyed a much needed day off Monday and head back on the road for four games, two with Rochester and Duluth. Sunday, the Mallards held on to defeat Waterloo 8-6 and split a two game set. Monday, Rochester will face the same Waterloo squad before hosting the Mallards. Rochester has lost four-straight ballgames and six of their last 10. Even though the Mallards snapped their most recent losing streak, they too have lost six of their last 10.
Probable Mallards starter Trevor Feeney will be making his fifth start of the season Tuesday. Feeney is ninth in the Northwoods League in pitching with a 2-1 record, 1.38 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched.
In his last outing, June 19th against Battle Creek, Feeney threw seven innings of work, allowing three earned runs on seven hits. Unfortunately, Feeney received a no-decision. He has been a consistent starter that has gone late into ballgames recently.
Feeney will have to contend with two of the top hitters in the Northwoods League this season in Drew Hoisington and Jareck West. Both Hoisington and West are posting solid numbers in several offensive categories in the league. Hoisington is first in extra base hits (12), sixth in batting average (.337) and second in slugging percentage (.570). As for West, he leads the league in on-base percentage (.462), is third in runs scored (18) and third in slugging percentage (.513).
Rochester as a team is batting .260 and is tied for the most home runs this season with Green Bay at 15. The Honkers have collected 127 walks, the most of any team, and will consistently have runners on base.
The Mallards will be facing hard right-handed throwing Greg Martin, who enters Tuesday 3-0 with a 1.55 ERA. Mallards slugger Evan LeBlanc is hitting .368 this season with four runs scored and two stolen bases. In his last five games, LeBlanc has gone an impressive 7-for-17 (.412). To go along with his solid play behind the plate, Eric Nielsen has gone 7-for-18 (.389) with an RBI and a run scored in his last 10 games. Nielsen, overall, is climbing the latter towards the .300 mark and is batting .292.
With the first half of the season nearing its end, this series and road trip should make for an important start for the Mallards to get back to playing winning baseball.
After the team returns from its roadtrip, the Mallards will return for their final home series before the All-Star break to play La Crosse starting Saturday at 5:05 p.m. Saturday is Rhythm & Booms night. Meriter & Physicians Plus Insurance Kick Ball Night. Mallards Kick Balls (first 1,000 14 & under). All kids can participate in a kick ball game on the field after the game! Brass Ring playing card giveaway (first 500 on the Great Dane Duck Blind). Movies in the outfield featuring, “Angels in the Outfield” after the big fireworks show, presented by Life Style Staffing.
