By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — June 4, 2013. The Madison Mallards (2-3) return home Tuesday night for a quick game against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (3-2) before hitting the road again for a two-game stint away from the “Duck Pond.”
The Green Bay Bullfrogs (4-1) swept the Mallards in a two-game series that began Sunday at Joannes Park in Green Bay. They fell 6-5 in 10 innings Sunday afternoon and suffered a 7-5 defeat Monday night.
Green Bay’s Robert Youngdahl (Notre Dame) hit a three-run home run off Mallards reliever Kristian Calibuso (Eastern Michigan) in the bottom of the seventh with the score 3-2 in favor of the Bullfrogs. The Mallards would pull within one in the eighth to make it 6-5 but the Bullfrogs added another insurance run off of Calibuso in the bottom of the eighth.
Mallards leadoff hitter Tony Cheky (Michigan State) led off the ninth with a walk but first base would be the farthest he would get. Mallards starter Luke Staub was saddled with the loss after going five innings and giving up three runs (one earned).
The Mallards will send Greg Welsh (Penn State) to the mound for his second start of the season. Welsh got the win in the team’s opening night, 4-2 win against the Eau Claire Express at the “Duck Pond” on May 29th. He went 5.1 innings and allowed only two runs (one earned) on five hits. He struck out six.
Nick Pettus (Seminole State) will be making his first start for the Rafters tonight. He has made two relief appearances this summer already and has a record of 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA. He took the loss in their 10-7 defeat against the Lakeshore Chinooks on May 30th by going 2.2 innings and giving up two earned runs on two hits. He notched the win against the Wisconsin Woodchucks on June 1st, when he went 3.2 innings and gave up one earned run on four hits.
Slugging It Out There
Despite being 12th in the Northwoods League in runs scored, the Mallards rank third in team slugging percentage with a mark of .369. Only Willmar and Alexandria—who has clubbed eight home runs already—are ahead of the Mallards in that category.
Making Contact
The Mallards have only struck out a total of 28 times on year, making them the team in the Northwoods League with the fewest amount in that category. Three teams have more than 50 on the year, including the Rochester Honkers’ 65. The average number of strikeouts out of the 16 teams in the Northwoods League so far this season is 43.3.
Up Next:
The Mallards will head right back onto the road following Tuesday night’s game by traveling to Wisconsin Rapids for a 7:05 pm game against the Rafters Wednesday and a 6:35 pm game against the Wisconsin Woodchucks on Thursday night.
They will return home Friday evening for a 7:05 pm game against the Woodchucks. That night marks Charter Communications Duck Dynasty Night. Fans can meet Mountain Man from the show! The “Duck Pond” will also be hosting the Madison Duck Call Championships and fans are encouraged to bring your duck call! It is also Potosi Brewery Night.
The 2013 season is upon us! Single-game tickets are on-sale now!
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. In 2013, the Northwoods League will celebrate its 20th season.
