Madison, WI – June 14, 2012. The Madison Mallards (6-9) will play the second game of a three game series against the Battle Creek Bombers (8-7). First pitch is scheduled 7:05 pm.
On Tuesday the Mallards dropped the series opener to the Bombers 6-4. Despite getting ahead 2-0 behind the arm of ace starting pitcher Trevor Foss (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) the Mallards were unable to hold on. With two outs in the fourth inning the Bombers rattled off five straight hits off of Foss (1-1) and took a 5-2 lead that they never relinquished.
Even with the loss Foss was still able to rack up 10 strikeouts, giving him the Northwoods League lead
at 29 on the season. The right-hander has also exhibited exceptional command through three starts, only walking one in his 21.1 innings of work.
Starting on the hill for the Mallards will be right-hander Brandon Barker (Mercer). In his last start Barker (0-2) pitched well, giving up two hits and two runs while striking out eight. However the performance was not enough to earn the win, as the two runs he gave up were all the offense the Green Bay Bullfrogs (7-8) would need in their 4-1 over the Mallards on June 8th.
Taking the ball for the Bombers will be right-hander Brian Valente (Eastern Michigan). This season Valente (0-1) has made two starts for the Bombers, carrying a 16.88 ERA and five strikeouts. His last time out he was roughed up by the Lakeshore Chinooks (9-6) to the tune of four runs and six hits, lasting only 1.0 inning.
After last nights monster home run to right field Bombers designated hitter Chris McCoy (Kellog CC) will be looking to do more damage. The homer, his first of the year, was the farthest hit at Warner Park in 2012, bouncing off the top of the manual scoreboard behind the Great Dane Duck Blind.
Mallards left fielder Derek Fisher (Virginia) impressed in his season debut. His first at bat the lefty roped a fastball up the middle to get his first RBI in the Northwoods League. In the field Fisher showed great range, tracking down balls all over the outfield.
The Mallards will play the series finale against the Bombers at the “Duck Pond” on Friday June 15th. That night will be Charter Communications “Miscellaneous Tyler” Vender of the Year Bobblehead Giveaway at the ballpark. Ho-Chunk will also be giving away a deck of cards to the first 500 fans in the Great Dane Duck Blind.
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 League in North America.
