By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
La Crosse, WI — July 2, 2013. The Madison Mallards (20-11) can capture the 2013 Northwoods League South Division First Half Championship with a win either tonight or tomorrow night against the La Crosse Loggers (20-13). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm tonight.
The Loggers enter the two-game series one full game back of the Madison Mallards. Winning the first half championship guarantees a spot in the Northwoods League Divisional Playoffs starting August 12th.
The Mallards are coming off back-to-back huge offensive performances in their series against the Battle Creek Bombers. They registered 17 hits and starter Luke Staub (George Washington) went eight innings and allowed only two hits Monday night in their 11-1 win.
The Mallards batted around twice and were led by Luke Meeteer (UW-Milwaukee) and Tate Matheny (Missouri State) at the plate. Meeteer went 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs while Matheny finished 3-for-5. Joe McCarthy (Virginia) also had a big night and went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
The Mallards are calling on Jamie Nunn (Appalachian State) for tonight’s game. The 6’2,” 185-pound native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina is 1-1 this year with a 2.16 ERA. He received a no-decision in his last start on June 26th against Battle Creek. He allowed one earned run on five hits in five innings of work and struck out eight.
Ben Cejka (UW-La Crosse) will be starting tonight for the Loggers. The 6’3,” 200-pounder is 1-2 on the season with a 8.35 ERA and has started one game. His lone start came on June 26th against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, when he allowed two runs (both earned) on three hits in 1.1 innings. He went 4.1 innings in relief on June 17th and allowed just one hit in 4.1 innings against the Rafters.
Meeteer Staying Hot
Meeteer has emerged as another force towards the bottom of the Mallards lineup, as the speedster is hitting .381 (8-for-21) with a home run and seven RBIs in his last five games. The recent hot streak has raised his average to .244 on the season.
Kings of the South
The Mallards .278 team batting average is far ahead of any other Northwoods League South Division team. The Lakeshore Chinooks hold the second-best average in the South with a mark of .256. The Mallards mark ranks second in the entire Northwoods League, with only Alexandria (.289) posting a better average.
Up Next:
The Mallards finish their two-game set against the Loggers and conclude the first half schedule tomorrow night at 7:05 pm at La Crosse.
July 3rd is the West Bend Home Talent Classic featuring Paul Molitor at the “Duck Pond.” 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 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.
