By: Dylan Lee – Public Relations
Madison, WI – August 4, 2014. The Madison Mallards (16-17, 34-32) look to keep their playoff hopes alive tonight against the Alexandria Blue Anchors (11-21, 20-46) at the “Duck Pond.” First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm.
On the mound for the Mallards is righty Alex Pondick (Montevallo). Pondick is 2-3 on the year with a 5.34 ERA, and in his last start he tossed four innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out two in a 5-4 loss to the Wisconsin Woodchucks.
He will square off against Blue Anchors starter Blake Bass, a 6’7”, 245-pound junior out of Angelo State University. Bass is 2-5 on the year with a 5.43 ERA, and in 56.1 innings of work he has walked 15 batters while striking out 36.
His last start, he went six innings against the Willmar Stingers, allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out four in a 12-6 loss.
Last night, the Mallards took down the La Crosse Loggers (10-21, 31-35) by a score of 2-1 at Copeland Park in La Crosse. Mallards starter Nate Hoffmann (Madison College) earned the win after tossing five innings of one run ball, allowing four hits while striking out one.
The Mallards two runs came in the fifth inning after the Loggers scored their sole run in bottom of the fourth. Their first run came after shortstop Tony Butler (Virginia) recorded an RBI single to score second baseman Michael Handel (Minnesota). Designated hitter Matt Thaiss (Virginia) then came in to score the next batter on a throwing error by Loggers pitcher Kevin Roy (Columbia).
Roy pitched seven innings, giving up two runs on two hits while striking out four in the loss.
The Mallards are five games behind the second place Wisconsin Woodchucks in the Northwoods League South Division overall standings with six games left to play. For the Mallards to make the playoffs, they must finish second in the overall standings as long as the first place Lakeshore Chinooks hold their lead in the second half standings.
The Mallards host the Northwoods Big League Dreams Showcase at the “Duck Pond” tomorrow. The Top 100 Players in the league will participate in a doubleheader, beginning at 4:05 pm. Game two is slated for 7:35 pm, where five Mallards players will be participating. There will also be a 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner and NWL alumni Max Scherzer Bobblehead Giveaway presented by The Great Dane before the game. Bobbleheads for this double-header will be given out when gates open at 2:30 pm.
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.
