By Peter Geppert
Wausau, WI – August 12, 2012. The Madison Mallards (23-11, 39-30) take the field for the final time this season tonight at Athletic Park in Wausau as they try to sweep the Wisconsin Woodchucks (25-9, 42-27). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 pm.
On Saturday the Mallards sent their last home crowd of the season home happy with an exciting 7-6 walk-off win over the Woodchucks. After blowing a three run lead in the eighth inning, Mallards pinch hitter Jacob Reese (Eastern Illinois) came up with the game winning hit in the ninth inning when he singled home third baseman Nicholas Howard (Virginia). Mallards starter Trevor Foss (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) finished his season with a dazzling 10 strikeout effort in which he gave up three runs on six hits through 7.0 innings.
Capping off the summer tonight for the Mallards is left-hander Daniel Gibson (Florida). In his last start Gibson (4-3) earned the win, striking out seven while giving up one run on five hits during a 2-1 triumph over the Lakeshore Chinooks (18-16, 35-34). The lefty comes into tonight with a 0.99 ERA in his last three starts.
Starting for the Woodchucks is left-hander Jordan Luvisi (Kansas). Luvisi (1-1) is coming off his first start of the season in which he was torched for nine runs on seven hits through 3.1 innings on the mound during an 18-2 loss to the La Crosse Loggers (23-11, 49-20).
Rewarded:
Mallards right fielder Tyler Marincov (North Florida) was named today to the 2012 post-season all-star team. The Orinda, Florida native leads the team in home runs (13), batting average (.312), and is second in RBIs (47).
Playing Aces:
Even though the Mallards will not see him in this series, Woodchucks ace Jack Fischer (Wake Forest) was named the Northwoods League Pitcher of the Year today. In two starts against the Mallards this season, the right-hander has gone 2-0 with a solid 3.27 ERA.
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.
