By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — June 25, 2013. The Madison Mallards (14-10) continue their six-game home stand tonight against the Battle Creek Bombers (12-13). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm at the ‘Duck Pond.’
The Mallards are currently 1-1 in their home stand. They lost in extra innings to the South Division leaders Lakeshore Chinooks on Sunday but rebounded with a very impressive night offensively as well as on the mound against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. They ended up winning 13-3.
The Mallards hit three home runs and batted around in the second inning last night. First baseman Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) highlighted the slugfest by going 4-for-5 and finished a triple away from the cycle. Two of his hits—a double and a single—came in the second inning. He entered the game hitting .278 and is now hitting at a .322 clip.
The Mallards went on to score in every inning besides the third, fourth and eighth innings.
Mallards starter Luke Staub (George Washington) was equally impressive on the mound, as the Peoria, Illinois native struck out 10 and allowed only two hits in seven innings of work. He improved to 2-2 on the year and his performance earned him the Northwoods League Pitcher of the Night. It marks the first time a Mallards pitcher captured the award this season.
Cody Peterson (Madison College) will get the start on the hill tonight for the Mallards. The 6’5,” 185-pound native of Burlington, Wisconsin has made two starts and one appearance in relief for the Mallards this summer. He has yet to receive a decision and has an ERA of 2.70 in his 10 innings pitched on the year. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs (both earned) on three hits in his last start on June 19th against Green Bay.
Kyle Slack (Toledo) will be making his fifth start of the season for the Bombers tonight. The righty has yet to receive a decision and has an ERA of 6.23. His last start on June 18th against the Mallards was his only appearance in which he lasted more than five innings. He allowed only one run (earned) on three hits in six innings. The Mallards went on to win that contest by a score of 3-1.
Weeks Coming Up Clutch
After going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs last night, Drew Weeks (North Florida) has improved his batting average to .337, which is tied for eighth in the Northwoods League. His numbers with runners on base are even more impressive, as the Green Cove Springs, Florida native is hitting .833 (5-for-6) with 12 RBIs with the bases loaded and is hitting .426 with one home run and 22 RBIs with runners in scoring position. His 27 RBIs are now only three back of Matt Tellor’s (Southeast Missouri) mark of 30, which leads the Northwoods League.
Sneaky Staub
After his lights out performance last night on the mound, Staub now sits in first place among starters in the Northwoods League in ERA with a mark of 0.70. He threw exactly 100 pitches last night and now has 25 strikeouts in 25.2 innings pitched this season. He has gone at least six innings and allowed one earned run or less in his last three starts.
Up Next:
The Mallards conclude their two-game series with the Bombers tomorrow at 7:05 pm. Tomorrow night’s game is Weird Sports Night! Fans can come witness Wife Carrying, Zorbing, Cardboard Dueling and Worm Charming in person! It will also be Rayovac Night as well as the Epilepsy Foundation Community Connection 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 is celebrating its 20th season.
