By: Dylan Lee – Public Relations
Madison, WI – July 29, 2014. The Madison Mallards (12-14, 30-29) look for a win against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (16-9, 34-25) tonight in Wausau at 6:35 pm.
Mallards starter Alex Pondick (Montevallo) aims to guide the Mallards to a victory in his sixth start of the season. Pondick is 2-2 on the year with a 4.85 ERA, and in his last start he allowed three runs while striking out one in four innings of work against the Kenosha Kingfish on July 19th.
Pondick is scheduled to face Woodchucks starter Alex Phillips, a 6’4”, 225-pound righty out of the University of Arkansas. Phillips is 3-1 in six starts for the Woodchucks and holds a 3.66 ERA in 27 innings pitched. His last start, he tossed four innings, giving up one run on two hits while striking out five in a 10-3 loss to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.
Last night, the Mallards fell to the Woodchucks after the Woodchucks scored five runs in the eighth inning at Athletic Park.
The Mallards scored one run in the third on an RBI groundout from right fielder Connor Marabell (Jacksonville) and one in the fourth after designated hitter Austin Barr (Stanford) scored on third baseman Trent Higginbothem’s (North Florida) putout.
Up 2-1 in the eighth, the Mallards went on to allow five runs, three coming off extra base hits. Mallards reliever Tim Black (Central Michigan) gave up five hits in the inning to receive the loss.
Woodchucks hurler Brian Howard (TCU) got the win, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out four.
The Mallards currently sit 9.5 games back of first place in the South Division standings, and 4.5 games back of the second place Woodchucks and Kenosha Kingfish. Overall, they are four games back of the Woodchucks, who sit in second.
For the Mallards to advance to the postseason, they must finish second in the South Division overall standings or win the South Division second half.
The Mallards travel to La Crosse tomorrow to play the La Crosse Loggers in a home-and-home doubleheader. The first game will be played in La Crosse at 12:05 pm, and game two is scheduled for 7:05 pm at the “Duck Pond.”
Wednesday night is Pickett's Paving Madison's Ugliest Driveway Giveaway. Fans can register online to enter the contest. It is also Joey's Song Epilepsy Awareness Night, and the Mallards will wear purple jerseys that are auctioned off during the 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 live the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit MallardsBaseball.com.
