By: Dylan Lee – Public Relations
Battle Creek, MI – August 8, 2014. After taking down the Battle Creek Bombers (15-19, 31-38) by a score of 13-4 last night, the Madison Mallards (19-17, 37-32) look for their second straight series sweep tonight in Battle Creek.
The Mallards swept the Alexandria Blue Anchors in their final home stand, and tonight A.J. Bogucki (North Carolina) will look to aid in the sweep against Bombers starter Edgar Sanchez (Cedar Valley).
Bogucki is 3-2 with a 4.50 ERA, and in his last start he gave up two runs against the Kenosha Kingfish while striking out four in 5.2 innings of work.
Bogucki has limited opposing batters to 16 walks in 46 total innings pitched while striking out 37.
Sanchez holds a 4.15 ERA in four appearances, and in his last outing he tossed two innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits in a 13-4 loss to the Waterloo Bucks. The Lancaster, Texas native has given up 18 hits and four walks in 8.2 innings of work while striking out two.
Last night, Mallards starter Rob McDonnell (Illinois) tossed 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four to get the win over the Bombers.
He was helped by the Mallards offense, who recorded 17 hits against off five different Bombers pitchers. Mallards shortstop Tony Butler (Virginia) led all Mallards hitters with four RBI, and centerfielder Will Krug (Illinois) and catcher Matt Thaiss (Virginia) chipped in two RBI to aid in a 13 run effort.
Although a strong showing by the Mallards last night, they were eliminated from playoff contention after the Wisconsin Woodchucks took down the Duluth Huskies by a score of 8-5.They are three games back of the Woodchucks in the Northwoods League South Division overall standings with three games left. Because the Woodchucks are 4-2 against the Mallards in head to head play, even if the Mallards were to win out and the Woodchucks lose their next three games, the Mallards would not viable for playoff contention.
The Mallards stay in Battle Creek tomorrow for a 6:05 pm (CT) start against the Bombers before traveling to Kalamazoo to face the Kalamazoo Growlers on Saturday and Sunday.
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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