By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Wisconsin Rapids, WI — August 4, 2013. The Madison Mallards (16-13, 37-25) hope to snap a five-game losing streak today and begin a six-game road trip against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (9-18, 28-34). First pitch is at 5:05 pm.
The Mallards wrapped up a nine-game home stand last night in a 4-0 loss to the La Crosse Loggers. The Mallards went 3-6 during the stretch.
Loggers starter Josh Frye (Long Beach State) was the story of the night last night, as the junior pitched a complete-game shutout and allowed only four hits. He also didn’t allow a Mallards base runner to reach third base.
Joe McCarthy (Virginia) doubled in the first, but the Mallards would only record singles from Jeff Zahn (Indiana State), Ryan McShane (Madison College) and Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State) for the rest of the game.
The Loggers scored two off of Mallards starter Cam Verbeke (Illinois State) and two more in the seventh and eighth innings. Eric Toole (Iowa) and Michael Katz (William & Mary) led the Loggers on the night. Toole went 3-for-3 with two walks and a run scored while Katz hit a solo shot in the fifth and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
6’6″ southpaw Andrew Arenson (Carthage) will look to continue his hot start with the Mallards by starting on the mound tonight. He has gone at least five innings in each of his two starts and hasn’t given up more than one run in each of them. He allowed no runs on four hits over five innings on July 19th against Green Bay and allowed one run on just one hit over five innings on July 28th against Mankato. He is 1-0 with a 0.81 ERA over 11 innings so far this season.
The Mallards have waived infielder Bre Kimbell (Louisiana Tech) and pitcher Omar Ugarte (Louisiana Tech) and have signed pitcher Rex Morrow (Madison College) and Tyler Patterson (St. Cloud State).
He Booted It!
The Mallards have been hurt by lackluster defense all season, but the play in the field during the five-game losing streak was especially costly. They committed 14 errors in the last five games of the nine-game home stand and now have the second most errors in the league with 107. Only the Rafters have more with 110.
Up Next:
The Mallards will wrap up a two-game series against the Rafters Monday night at 7:05 pm and will then travel to Willmar, Minnesota to take on the Stingers on Tuesday. First pitch for that game is set for 7:05 pm. The Mallards close out their six-game road trip with a pair of games against the Mankato MoonDogs on Thursday and Friday. Both games are scheduled for 7:05 pm.
The Mallards return home on Saturday, August 10th against the Lakeshore Chinooks for a 6:05 pm game. There will be a Mallards Trading Card Giveaway presented by Charter Communications and it will also be Back to School Night! Roy Sievers, a former MLB All-Star, will also be making an appearance. The United Way Community Connection Night will also take place that night and Budweiser will provide post-game fireworks.
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.
