Madison, WI. June 10, 2014- The Madison Mallards (10-4) have won seven of their last eight games played, and will aim for their eleventh win of the season and a sole hold on first place in the Northwoods League South Division tonight against the Lakeshore Chinooks (10-4). Both teams are tied for first in the South Division after wins last night. The meeting today will be their first of the season.
Madison beat the Battle Creek Bombers in a 1-0 game yesterday, highlighted by a shut out performance from starting pitcher Sterling Sharp (Eastern Michigan) who pitched six innings of scoreless ball and a save by closer Tim Black (Central Michigan), who shut down the Bombers in the ninth, retiring all three batters he faced.
Looking to pick up where Sharp left off is tonight’s starter Alex Pondick (Montevallo). Pondick has started two games for the Mallards this year, pitching against the Kenosha Kingfish last Wednesday in a 12-1 win. He tossed five innings of shutout ball, giving up four hits and fanning five Kingfish for his second win of the season.
He will face Chinook righty G.J. Strauss (Florida Tech), a 6’5”, 215-pound junior from St. Louis, Missouri. Strauss has made three appearances for the club, starting once on May 29th against the Mankato Moondogs in a 4-2 win. He pitched five innings, holding the Moondogs scoreless on two hits while walking none and striking out six batters.
The Mallards had been on a six game win streak until two days ago, when they lost to Battle Creek in 14 innings by a score of 5-4. But with the win yesterday, they move to 7-3 in their past ten games. Madison hitters are leading the Northwoods League in batting average at .288.
Tonight at the “Duck Pond” is Ho-Chunk Gaming Night and will feature a Ho-Chunk Plinko Board and Ho-Chunk Playing Card Giveaway in the Great Dane Duck Blind. It is also Valpak Great Outdoors Night.
Tomorrow, the Mallards travel to Mequon to finish their two-game home and home series against the Chinooks at 6:35 pm. They return to the “Duck Pond” on Friday, June 13th to play the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at 7:05 pm. Friday night is Charter Communications Office Space Night with an appearance by Richard Riehle, who played Tom Symkowski, the creator of the Jump to Conclusions Mat. Doc Jams will provide old printers and copiers for fans to smash on the field post-game.
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 for a fee via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit MallardsBaseball.com.
