Madison, WI – July 2, 2014. The Madison Mallards (0-0, 18-15) square off against the Kalamazoo Growlers (0-0, 13-22) tonight at the “Duck Pond.” First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm.
The Mallards have played the Growlers twice this year, splitting a doubleheader on May 28th to start the 2014 Northwoods League season. The Mallards took game one by a score of 6-2, but the Growlers rebounded in game two, winning 6-5.
Scheduled to start for the Mallards tonight is southpaw Kirby Snead (Florida). Snead is 1-0 on the year with a 2.45 ERA and 18 strikeouts, having given up four runs in 14.2 innings of work. In his last start, Snead went four innings and let up two runs on four hits while striking out eight batters in 5-2 loss against the Green Bay Bullfrogs.
He will face Growlers starter Luke Bolka, a 6’2”, 200-pound lefty out of Eastern Carolina. Bolka holds a 10.04 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched after giving up 16 runs on 18 hits and 13 walks. His last appearance, Bolka tossed four innings, letting up two runs on four hits and walking four.
On Monday, the Mallards finished the first half of the Northwoods League season on a positive note, completing a sweep of the La Crosse Loggers (21-14) in the second game of their split doubleheader by a score of 4-3.
Mallards starter A.J. Bogucki (North Carolina) went five innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out three to move to 2-0 on the year.
In game one of Monday’s twin bill, Mallards starter Sterling Sharp (Eastern Michigan) went 5.2 innings, giving up one run on one hit to help the Mallards to a 2-1 win.
The Mallards continue play tomorrow at the “Duck Pond” against the Kalamazoo Growlers. First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm and Charter Communications will present the Human Cannonball.
Mallards single game tickets are on-sale now. To purchase tickets, log on to MallardsBaseball.com, call 608-246- 4277, or stop by the Mallards ticket office.
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The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit MallardsBaseball.com.
