Madison, Wis. – Donnie Scott and the Madison Mallards (1-0) will aim for consecutive victories to begin the 2015 Northwoods League season on Wednesday against the Kalamazoo Growlers (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT at Warner Park.
This evening's contest will conclude a two-game home series for the Mallards, who etched their sixth straight opening-day victory Tuesday night by a final mark of 9-4.
Nate Hoffmann (Middle Tennessee State) receives his first start of the season tonight for Madison. The 6-foot-2 right-hander crafted a 3.61 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and held opponents to a .240 batting average this spring with the Blue Raiders' rotation and bullpen, compiling 77.1 innings. As a member of Madison's staff last summer, Hoffmann appeared in 18 games, posting a 3-2 record with an ERA of 4.50 and 17 strikeouts across 36.0 frames.
Kalamazoo will send left-handed pitcher Timothy Cerven (Kalamazoo Valley CC) to the hill Wednesday evening to face Madison's lineup, which collectively went 9-for-34 (.264) and drew eight walks in the series opener. Cerven, who stands at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, went 8-2 with a 1.55 ERA and 8.22 strikeouts-per-nine ratio this spring (58.0 IP) during his sophomore collegiate season.
Gonsolin Impresses Early: Last night, Anthony Gonsolin (St. Mary's College) ignited Madison's lineup with a 2-for-5 batting line, including a double, four runs batted in, two runs scored and a stolen base from the leadoff spot in the order. No Mallards player since 2009 has accounted for more combined RBI or runs than Gonsolin (6) in an opening-day game.
Promotion Schedule Continues: This evening's contest will feature Charter Communications and Chet's Car Care Magnet Schedule Giveaway at the front gates of the Duck Pond, while supplies last. There will also be a mystery bobblehead and ticket promotion for $10. Use the promo code bobble when purchasing field-box tickets for tonight's game.
Single-game tickets are on sale now. To purchase tickets, log onto 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 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.MallardsBaseball.com
