By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations

Madison, WI — August 2, 2013. The fourth series as part of the Madison Mallards (16-11, 37-23) nine-game home stand will kick off Friday night against the La Crosse Loggers (14-11, 35-25). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.

The Mallards dropped a third-consecutive game last night for the first time this season against the North Division’s Willmar Stingers. Both the Mallards and the Stingers scored runs in bunches early on, but it was Zack Tillery (Florida Gulf Coast) and Michael Suchy’s (Florida Gulf Coast) RBI singles in the seventh and a Marc Flores (Hawaii) RBI in the ninth that was enough to put the Mallards away 10-7.

Mallards leadoff hitter Kyle Ruchim (Northwestern) reached third in the eighth after leading off the inning with a walk but Weeks struck out swinging to end the inning. The Mallards then got the first two runners on in the ninth against Stingers closer Cody Hughes (Montevallo) but failed to push a run across.

Looking for his fourth win in his last four appearances tonight will be Reilly Hovis (North Carolina). He received the win on July 27th against the Battle Creek Bombers by allowing four runs (all earned) on five hits in five innings and had two consecutive outings prior to that where he allowed no runs on three hits over six innings. On the season, Hovis is 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA over 25 innings of work. 

Hovis squared off against the Loggers on July 15th and allowed just three hits and four walks over six shutout innings in an 11-2 Mallards win.

Slump Snapped

Mallards right fielder Drew Weeks (North Florida) entered last night hitting .302, which is well below his .345 mark he had on July 16th. But the 6’2″ sophomore from Green Cove Springs, Florida snapped out of it last night by going 3-for-5 with a double, a pair of RBIs—his first in four games—and a run scored. Willmar’s Marc Flores (Hawaii) surpassed Weeks during his slump and now has five more RBIs (56) than Weeks.

Messy with the Mitt

If the Mallards are to make a deep playoff run, a better effort defensively will be needed. They committed one error last night—which was their 99th of the season—and only the Alexandria Blue Anchors (103) and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (106) have more so far this season.

Up Next:

The Mallards wrap up their longest home stand of the season tomorrow night against the Loggers at 6:05 pm before hitting the road for a six-game road trip.

Vita Ice will be presenting Women and Baseball Night for Saturday’s game! There will also be post-game fireworks presented by Charter Communications and the Fairway Mortgage Boot Campaign Community Connection Night will 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.