By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — June 27, 2013. The Madison Mallards (16-10) can pull into a tie for first place in the Northwoods League South Division standings with a win over the Wisconsin Woodchucks (10-17) Thursday and a La Crosse Loggers loss.
The Mallards won in walk-off fashion for the first time in the 2013 season last night against the Battle Creek Bombers. Mallards leadoff hitter Tate Matheny (Missouri State) hit a hard ground ball to Bombers shortstop Daniel Cucjen (Alabama) with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Cucjen’s throw home was late.
Jack Livingston (Northwestern) picked up the win by facing the minimum in the ninth. He worked around a leadoff walk and a wild pitch. Bombers right fielder Greg Velazquez (Cal St. Fullerton) ripped a line drive to first, but Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) jumped and snagged the line drive and doubled off the runner at second. Livingston then forced a popup to right to get out of the inning.
Jordan Tabakman (UConn) is making his third start of the season for the Mallards tonight. His last appearance came on June 22nd in a suspended game against the Lakeshore Chinooks. He pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three runs (all earned) on five hits. He walked two and struck out one. The game was suspended after 16 innings because the City of Mequon does not allow an inning to start past 11 pm.
Danny Young (Florida) will be battling Tabakman tonight and will start for the Woodchucks. He has made two starts on the year and allowed one earned run or less in both games. He went five innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits against the La Crosse Loggers in his last appearance on June 21st.
Trio of Sluggers
The Madison Mallards rank second in the Northwoods League in runs scored with 157. None of this would be possible without the contributions of sluggers Drew Weeks (North Florida), Matheny and Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State). The three have combined to drive in 72 of the team’s 134 RBIs (53.7 percent).
Hitter-Friendly “Duck Pond”
The Mallards rank tied for third in the Northwoods League in hitting with a .267 average but have much more success in the friendly confines of Warner Park. The team is hitting .281 at home but only .255 away from home. The Mallards also have hit twice as many home runs (14) at the “Duck Pond” compared to games on the road.
Up Next:
The Mallards wrap up their six-game home stand Friday with a 7:05 pm game against the Woodchucks.
Tomorrow night is the Charter Communications Teddy Bear Toss! MINI of Madison is also presenting the Russian Bar Trio! Other events taking place are the Union Cab Stress Taxi Giveaway in the Great Dane Duck Blind and the TEAM Survivor Madison Inc 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.
