By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Eau Claire, WI — June 8, 2013. The Madison Mallards (4-5) will start their four-game road trip tonight against the Eau Claire Express (3-6) at Carson Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.
The Mallards are coming off of a furious ninth-inning rally that came up just short Friday night against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The Mallards scored four runs off of Woodchucks reliever Ryan Zweck (Danville Area CC) in the ninth frame. They entered the inning down 8-1.
Tate Matheny (Missouri State) hit a three-run home run to begin the scoring in the ninth and shortstop Michael Handel (Minnesota) hit an RBI single to pull within three. But Zweck buckled down and forced Geonte Jackson (San Jacinto CC) to fly out to short to end the rally.
Mallards starter Kevin Duchene (Illinois) struggled and lasted just 1.2 innings in his Mallards debut. He allowed six runs—four earned—on five hits and one free pass. He struck out three.
The Mallards will be going with Jamie Nunn (Appalachian State) on the mound tonight. The righty from Winston-Salem, North Carolina picked up the win in his first career Mallards start on June 1st against the La Crosse Loggers by going six innings and allowing just two hits. Nunn went 9-5 with a 3.96 ERA in 15 starts for the Mountaineers this past spring.
The Express are sending Ed Brandsema (Montevallo) to the hill. He picked up the win in his lone start of the season against the Battle Creek Bombers on June 1st. He went five innings and allowed three earned runs on six hits.
Atop the Northwoods
Despite being in the bottom half of the Northwoods League South Division standings, the Mallards are tied for the lead with the Duluth Huskies in team batting average with a .274 mark. Their on-base percentage (.399) also ranks first in the league ahead of the Huskies’ mark of .380.
Up Next:
The Mallards will remain in Eau Claire Sunday for a 5:05 pm game before heading to Mequon, Wisconsin to take on the Lakeshore Chinooks for a pair of games Monday and Tuesday.
The Mallards return to the “Duck Pond” on Wednesday against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters for a 7:05 pm game. The Meriter Hand Sanitizer Giveaway will take place that night. The BOCA Burger Vegetarian Appreciation Night and the Madison Knitters Guild Stitch and Pitch will also be held.
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.
