By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — July 17, 2013. The Madison Mallards (10-5, 31-17) look to rebound from a game in which the pitching staff issued 11 walks and surrendered 12 runs by hosting the Green Bay Bullfrogs (4-9, 20-28) tonight at 7:05 pm.
The La Crosse Loggers needed only 10 hits to score a dozen runs off of four Mallards pitchers last night. Greg Welsh (Penn State) was hit with the loss and falls to 5-2 after allowing eight runs (all earned) on seven hits and three walks.
The Mallards looked as though they would be well on their way to another blowout of their own after a four-run second inning but were shut out until they tacked on one run in the top of the ninth.
Steve Hagen (Wooster College) received the win last night and improved to 6-1 on the year and Ben Cejka (UW-La Crosse) pitched the final three innings for his first save.
Looking to recover from the poor effort from the Mallards pitchers last night will be Nick Smith (Western Illinois). The 6’3″ sophomore from Greenfield, Indiana is 1-0 on the year with a 10.46 ERA. He was roughed up in his last start on July 11th against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits in just 2.2 innings.
On the mound tonight for the Bullfrogs will be 6’4″ lefty Derek Callahan (Gonzaga). He has appeared in seven games (six starts) but has received a decision in only one of those, which was a win in his last start on July 11th. He is 1-0 with a 1.96 ERA on the season. The Mallards saw Callahan on June 16th at the “Duck Pond” during a 7-4 Mallards win. Callahan allowed four runs (only one earned) on just five hits over five innings during that game.
Where Did the Walks Come From?
The flurry of walks issued last night by the Mallards pitching staff is especially unusual considering their success in finding the strike zone throughout the rest of the season. The Mallards have now issued the fourth-fewest walks (178) in the Northwoods League, with only Willmar (165), Wisconsin (154) and Lakeshore (145) giving out fewer free passes.
Look out for Burleson
The toughest out in the Green Bay lineup as of late is infielder Bryant Burleson (Texas Tech). The 5’8″ junior is hitting at just a .261 clip this summer but is hitting .389 (7-for-18) with a home run and nine RBIs over his last five games.
Up Next:
The Mallards host the Bullfrogs again tomorrow at 7:05 pm for the second game of a three-game series before going to Joannes Park in Green Bay for the last game of the series on Friday.
There will be a Dr. Jay Hazen Dentistry for Madison Hawaiian Night with a Hawaiian Maynard Bobblehead Giveaway on Thursday! The United Cerebral Palsy Community Connection Night will also take place. The first 250 kids will also receive a free copy of Pitch Like the Pros—Former Major Leaguer Brad Woodall’s pitching mechanics DVD, brought to you by DreamBank by American Family Insurance.
The Madison Mallards are your Northwoods League South Division First Half Champions! Playoff 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.
