By: Ryan Hil — Public Relations
Madison, WI — June 28, 2013. The Madison Mallards (17-10) can take a lead in the Northwoods League South Division with a win tonight against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (10-18) and a Lakeshore Chinooks loss.
The Chinooks battle the La Crosse Loggers tonight at 7:05 pm in La Crosse.
The Mallards moved into second place after a 13-6 win last night against the Woodchucks. The Mallards led 2-1 going into the bottom of the seventh and had registered only three hits but erupted for 10 runs in the frame and sent 16 batters to the plate. Mallards left fielder Joe McCarthy (Virginia) and first baseman Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) both recorded multiple hits in the inning and three other Mallards players reached base twice in the inning.
Ben Neumann (Northern Illinois) picked up the win in relief by throwing 1.2 innings of one-hit ball. He relieved Mallards starter Jordan Tabakman (UConn) in the fifth after Tabakman appeared to experience arm discomfort.
Greg Welsh (Penn State) will be making his sixth start of the year and will look to improve to 4-0 tonight. The 5’11” southpaw holds an ERA of 2.88 on the season in 25 innings of work. He lasted 4.2 innings in his last start on June 23rd at home against Lakeshore and allowed three earned runs on six hits. His last win came on June 17th against the Battle Creek Bombers. He allowed two earned runs on just three hits in five innings in that contest.
The Woodchucks will send Koby Gauna (Cal State Fullerton) to the mound for his first start of the season. He pitched one inning of relief on June 23rd against the La Crosse Loggers and allowed an unearned run on three hits. This past spring with the Titans, Gauna carried a 2.60 ERA in 22 appearances, six of which were starts. He went 4-1 and pitched 55.1 innings for a Titans team that went 51-10 on the year and reached the Super Regionals.
A Home Stand to Remember
The Mallards are hitting .320 and have scored 43 runs so far in their six-game home stand and have only lost one game, which was in extras on Sunday against the Lakeshore Chinooks. The Mallards pitching staff has only allowed 17 earned runs over that same span and have struck out 55 batters in 47 innings.
The Multi-Hit Machine
Mallards outfielder Drew Weeks (North Florida) went 3-for-3 with an RBI in last night’s game, giving him his 11th multi-hit game in 24 games this season. He now leads the Northwoods League in hitting with a .378 batting average, which is .010 points higher than the second-ranked hitter.
Up Next:
The Mallards begin a three-game series with the Battle Creek Bombers starting tomorrow at 6:05 pm. They will then round out the first half schedule with two games at La Crosse on July 2nd and July 3rd at Copeland Park.
July 3rd is the West Bend Home Talent Classic featuring Paul Molitor. The Rhythm and Booms Fireworks show will also take place after the game. The American Cancer Society Community Connection Night is also that day.
The Mallards next home games are on Friday, July 5th. The Mallards will host a doubleheader against the Eau Claire Express.
Zimbrick Honda Military Appreciation Night with a Military Maynard Bobblehead Giveaway will take place that night. The Badger Honor Flight Community Connection Night will also take place and there will also be a Schoep’s Ice Cream Scoop Giveaway.
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.
