by Peter Geppert
Madison, WI – July 24, 2012. The best that the North and South Divisions have to offer will meet head-to-head in the 17th edition of the Northwoods League All-Star Game tonight at the “Duck Pond.” First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 pm.
Here are five storylines for Mallards fans to pay attention to in tonight’s game:
North’s Offense vs. South’s Pitching:
It’s no secret this year that in the North Division the offense, just like Minnesota winters, is blistering and unforgiving when compared to the South Division. All five of the Northwoods League’s most productive offenses hail from the North, while the top five pitching staffs in the league all come from the South. Something will have to give, and whichever side is able to hold firm will have the upper hand.
La Crosse’s Andy McKay vs. Mankato’s Mike Orchard:
The All-Star game features an interesting matchup in managers between La Crosse’s Andy McKay for the South and Mankato’s Mike Orchard for the North. This will be Orchard’s third appearance as a manager in the All-Star Game, while McKay will be making his debut as manager of the South. If experience plays a factor in tonight’s game, it will be the North that will have the advantage.
Tyler “Hero” Marincov:
Mallards right fielder Tyler Marincov (North Florida), refereed to as “Hero” by his teammates, has been nothing short of Superman this season. So far this summer Marincov has been among the league leaders in all three triple-crown categories, coming into tonight with a .345 batting average, 10 home runs, and 40 RBIs. Seeing how he responds to the pressure of the big stage of the All-Star game will be an intriguing subplot.
Mr. Consistency, Anthony Marzi:
When the All-Star teams were being picked most Mallards fans would have thought that Marincov would have been selected, but few could have predicted that Mallards starter Anthony Marzi (Connecticut) would wind up on the South Division squad. With a 3.13 ERA, 2-0 record, and 27 strikeouts, the lefty has quietly been putting together a stellar season on the mound for the Mallards. Tonight offers Marzi (2-0) a chance to show the rest of the league what he can do and that he is truly the ace that Mallards fans have seen all season.
Team Dynamics:
Like in any All-Star Game it will be intriguing to see how a group of players who have never played with each other before come together as a team for one game. Whichever side can gel more quickly will hold the key to getting off to a hot start tonight.
Tonight’s game, and the preceding Home Run derby, can be viewed on Northwoodleague.TV on the Mallards channel. The start of the Home Run Derby presented by the Dane County Regional Airport is scheduled for 6:00 pm.
Watch the Game and Home Run Derby Live Here!
Up Next:
The Mallards return to action at the “Duck Pond” on Friday, July 27th against the Rafters. That night will be Presidential Bobble Election Night at the ballpark.
