Wisconsin Rapids, WI – July 9, 2014. The Madison Mallards (5-3, 23-18) look to rebound tonight in Wisconsin Rapids after falling to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (3-3, 15-26) yesterday by a score of 6-2.
Mallards starter Christian Taugner (Brown) will toe the rubber against Rafters hurler Jeff Gogue (Cal. State- Dominguez Hills).
Taugner holds a 2.94 ERA in 36.2 innings of work this season, having struck out 21 opposing batters while walking just six. He has given up 12 runs on 36 hits, and in his last start he allowed two runs on six hits while striking out three in a 5-3 win over the Battle Creek Bombers.
Gogue, a 5’9”, 215-pound lefty out of Anaheim, California is 0-2 on the year with a 5.62 ERA in 16 innings pitched. In his last start, he gave up seven runs on five hits, walking three while striking out two in 6.1 innings of work.
Last night, the Mallards were held to two runs on five hits, and Rafters starter Domenic Mazza (UC-Santa Barbara) allowed only one run on two hits in seven innings of work, walking three while striking out seven.
The Mallards scored their first run in the sixth inning after shortstop Trace Tam Sing (Washington State) doubled to drive in right fielder Connor Marabell (Jacksonville).
Catcher Matt Thaiss (Virginia) hit a solo shot to bring the Mallards deficit to four runs in the ninth, but Rafters reliever Nolan Blackwood (Memphis) closed out the Mallards after the home run, retiring three of the next four batters he faced.
Mallards starter Tyler Buffett (Oklahoma State) allowed two runs on eight hits, going 4.1 innings while striking out four in the loss.
The Mallards stay in Wisconsin Rapids tomorrow to wrap up their five game road trip against the Rafters at 7:05 pm before returning to the “Duck Pond” on July 11th to begin a three game home series against the Rafters at 7:05 pm.
Friday the 11th will feature a MIG Commercial Real Estate LEGO Building Giveaway. It is also Circus World Night with live circus entertainment and Remington Beard Night.
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.
