Madison, WI – June 9, 2012. The Madison Mallards (5-5) will travel to Eau Claire to play the first of a two game weekend series against the Eau Claire Express (4-6). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.
On Friday the Mallards dropped the series finale to the Green Bay Bullfrogs (4-6) 4-1. The Bullfrogs pitching staff gave the Mallards fits, only allowing three hits and one run. The lone bright spot offensively came in the fourth when leadoff hitter John Welborn (Texas-San Antonio) homered to right field off of Bullfrogs starter Taylor Black (Texas State) to give the Mallards their only run.
Mallards pitching was once again on top of its game, getting a combined 11 strikeouts on the night. Starting pitcher Brandon Barker (Mercer) only allowed two hits and one earned run in 6.0 innings, but was tagged with the loss after also allowing one unearned run.
The Mallards will be looking to get back in the win column and will need to get the offense going to do so. Left fielder Vince Bruno (California) is one player who has gotten off to a slow start, hitting .194 through eight games, but could spark a resurgence in the Mallards lineup. Getting on base will be key for him, as his four stolen bases are tied for second on the team.
Left-hander Cody Forsythe (Southern Illinois) will have to be sharp to give the Mallards a chance to win today. Forsythe (0-1) will be tryin to bounce back from his first start of the season where he surrendered eight earned and seven hits through 4.1 innings in an 8-3 loss to the La Crosse Loggers (6-4).
The Express will rely on lefty Matt Trowbridge (Central Michigan) to keep the Mallards offense at bay. In his last start Trowbridge (1-0) was stellar, going 8.0 innings and allowing three hits and one run in a 2-1 win over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (5-5).
Offensively the Express rely heavily on contact to score runs and move runners along the base paths, their nine stolen bases is the lowest total in the Northwoods League.
Not only has the Mallards pitching staff been best in the league at getting opponents off balance, their 112 strikeouts leads the Northwoods League, but they also have been masters of control. Their collective 29 walks are the lowest in the Northwoods League.
The team returns to the “Duck Pond” on Wednesday June 13th to take on the Bombers. That night will be The Payroll Company Police Appreciation Night at the ballpark featuring Erik Estrada from the hit TB show ChiPs.
The 2012 season is upon us! Single-game tickets are on-sale for all Mallards home games!
The Madison Mallards are part of the 16-team Northwoods League. The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.
