By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — July 26, 2013. The Madison Mallards (14-7, 35-19) started a nine-game home stand with a come-from-behind victory after a 42-minute rain delay Thursday night against the Battle Creek Bombers (6-14, 20-34) in the first game of a three-game series between the teams.
Joe McCarthy (Virginia) and Drew Weeks (North Florida) wasted no time after the delay and knocked in a run apiece in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-3 lead.
After a scoreless inning from Ben Neumann (Northern Illinois) in the eighth, Danny Sullivan (Davenport) came in and notched his fourth save of the season but forced the remaining fans at the “Duck Pond” to scoot to the edge of their seats.
He walked Kade Scivicque (SW Mississippi) and allowed Rouric Bridgewater (Arizona State) to single to put runners on first and second with nobody down. Sullivan then struck out Matt Fears (Valdosta State) and got Jared Foster (LSU) out on an infield fly rule. He plunked Greg Velazquez (Cal St. Fullerton) in the next at-bat to load the bases but struck out Tyler Moore (LSU) on four pitches to put the back-and-forth game away.
Starting for the Mallards in the second game of the three-game set will be righty Cam Verbeke (Illinois State). Verbeke, who is 5-2 with a 3.55 ERA so far this season, has received a decision in each of his last five starts. He most recently suffered a loss at the hands of the Wisconsin Woodchucks on July 20th in a 6-4 Mallards loss. He allowed five runs (all earned) on six hits and one walk over 5.1 innings of work. He was lights out in his two starts prior to that by allowing just three earned runs on seven hits over 11 innings and received the win in both games.
Let’s Hope It’s a Righty
The Mallards players’ splits when it comes to right-handed pitchers versus the southpaws bring to light a significant disparity. The Mallards hit .292 as a team when facing right-handed pitchers but only .250 against lefties. They have also hit 23 of their 32 home runs against the right-handers. Conversely, the Bombers are hitting only .227 against righties and see their average jump to .264 against lefties. The Mallards are scheduled to send a right-handed pitcher to the mound in each game of this series.
Bullying the Bombers
The entire Mallards lineup has gotten the most of the Bombers pitching staff so far this season—they are hitting .305 through eight games against them—but Drew Weeks (North Florida) has perhaps done the most damage. He has 10 of his 49 RBIs against the Bombers and four of his eight hits against them have gone for extra bases.
Up Next:
The Mallards will play the final game of their three-game set against the Bombers Saturday at the “Duck Pond.” First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm.
The Charter Communications Wrestling Night will take place tomorrow and WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley will make a special appearance! There will also be a TDS Thundersticks giveaway and the Dane County Rape Crisis Center Community Connection Night will also be held.
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.
