Madison, WI – June 6, 2008. Fresh off a series sweep at Green Bay, the Mallards return home to host the La Crosse Loggers tonight in a game beginning at 7:05 p.m. at the “Duck Pond.” Bryan Earley will take the hill for the Mallards, squaring off against Loggers right-hander Pete Woodward. Tickets are still available for tonight’s game.
La Crosse Loggers (5-3) at Madison Mallards (6-2)
June 6, 2008 – 7:05 p.m. (CT)
Warner Park – Madison, WI
Pitching Probables:
RHP Bryan Earley (MAD) – 1 GS, 5.1 IP, 1-0, 0.0 ERA
RHP Pete Woodworth (LAC) – 1 GS, 5.1 IP, 0-1, 10.13 ERA
Mallards records:
– 1-1 vs. La Crosse
– 2-1 at home
– 4-1 on road
– 3-1 vs. South Division
– 3-1 vs. North Division
Madison is…
– 3-1 when scoring first
– 6-0 when leading after 7 innings
– 5-1 when outhitting its opponent
– 4-0 when scoring 7+ runs
– 6-1 when allowing fewer than 7 runs
– 6-1 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
Last time out for the Mallards: W 6-1 at Green Bay, June 5
The Mallards received another quality start on the hill against the Green Bay Bullfrogs last night, this time from Kyle Barry (MATC), as they earned the series sweep with a 6-1 victory at Green Bay’s Joannes Stadium. Barry pitched seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits and striking out eight. Mallards pitching allowed two runs and 13 hits in the two games at Green Bay. The squad improves to 6-2 on the season. The Mallards offense reached double-digits in hits for the fifth time this season. The bottom four in the order accounted for seven of the 11 hits, with Brandon Haveman (Purdue), Russell Harben (South Alabama) and Don Lambert (Baylor) each having two.
Mallards Musings:
-The Mallards are off to their best start (6-2) since 2005, when they also started 6-2.
-Matt Jansen (Purdue) has yet to allow a run in two starts this season. He has pitched 13 innings and allowed just six hits and two walks, while striking out 10. Opponents are hitting .140 against the left-hander. Jansen is tied for the league lead with that 0.00 ERA, but has pitched six more innings than the next closest qualifier.
-Joe De Pinto (USC) has brought some west-coast offense to the Mallards. The freshman was signed to a 10-day contract to start the season, and has recorded at least one hit in seven of the eight games so far. He’s hitting .345 (10-29) with a double, five RBIs and a .441 on-base percentage.
-After a solid second half of 2007, in which he was named a post-season All-Star, Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) has picked up right where he left off to start 2008. He is hitting .353 (12-34) in seven games played with seven runs and three RBIs. He has also swiped five bases and played nearly flawless defense, recording just one error.
-Josh Groves (UW-Milwaukee) has been on a tear since arriving in Madison. Playing mainly at third base, he is 10-for-33 (.303) with eight runs scored. His run total is third in the Northwoods League.
-Despite being short a couple of arms as players are still arriving, the Mallards pitching staff leads the league in ERA (2.13). The offense checks in at fourth in the league (.257 batting average).