By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations

Madison, WI — August 13, 2013. The Madison Mallards first playoff game in five years last night at Kapco Park against the Lakeshore Chinooks is one they will want to forget. They will get their shot at revenge tonight at 7:05 pm at the ‘Duck Pond’ in Game No. 2 of the Northwoods League Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Mallards starter Luke Staub (George Washington) cruised through the first three innings Monday night and allowed just one hit before the Chinooks rattled off run after run off of him in the fourth. He failed to get an out and allowed six runs (five earned) on just four hits and walked two batters in the inning before being replaced by Jack Livingston (Northwestern). 

The Chinooks went on to score seven runs in the inning and would score more runs in bunches in the later innings, as well. They scored eight in the seventh and eighth innings off of relievers Kristian Calibuso (Eastern Michigan) and Charlie Naso (Illinois). 

Chinooks starter Joe Greenfield (Eastern Illinois) allowed only two runners to reach third base in his seven innings of work and scattered six hits. He walked just one and struck out three.

Starting on the mound for the Mallards tonight will be Reilly Hovis (North Carolina). The 6’3,” 195-pound native of Gastonia, North Carolina is 3-3 on the year with a 3.85 ERA and has 34 strikeouts in 35 innings of work. Although Hovis is 0-2 in his last two starts, he won each of his three starts prior to that and only allowed four runs over 17 innings on 11 hits. Hovis has also allowed only six extra base hits on the season.

On the mound for the opposition will be 6’2″ sophomore Tim Faix (Kent State). Faix has made 14 appearances (six starts) this year and holds an ERA of 2.97 while going 2-0. His last appearance came on August 6th against Waterloo, when he allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits over five innings while walking four. His last win came on July 26th against Wisconsin Rapids, and the southpaw allowed just two runs (both earned) on six hits in 6.1 innings of work. He also got the win on June 21st against the Mallards out of the bullpen in an 11-3 Chinooks win. He allowed one hit and a walk but struck out three in his inning of work.

Lovin’ the Lefties

The Mallards are facing a southpaw on the hill tonight, and at least three hitters in the lineup will like what they see. Kyle Ruchim (Northwestern) is hitting .455 (10-for-22) against lefties this season and has a batting average of .288 overall. Jason Goldstein (Illinois), who hit .301 during the regular season, hit .373 in 25 games against the southpaws this season. Drew Weeks (North Florida) also found great success when facing the lefties and hit .337 in 35 games. Weeks finished the regular season with a batting average of .310.

Up Next:

If the Mallards win Game No. 2 and even the three-game series at a game apiece, the Mallards will head back to Mequon, Wisconsin tomorrow to take on the Chinooks for a chance to make the Northwoods League Summer Collegiate World Series. The Duluth Huskies won Game No. 1 of the three-game North Divisional Championship over the Waterloo Bucks last night by a score of 5-2. If the Mallards advance, they will play either Waterloo or Duluth and will not have home field advantage, as both teams finished with a better overall record in the regular season.  The Mallards would host Game 1 of the World Series on August 15th at 7:05 pm if they advanced.  They would then head to either Waterloo or Duluth for Games 2 and 3 (if necessary).

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.