In what was unquestionably the Mallards worst game of the young season, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters came into the Duck Pond and dismantled a team that looked untouchable through the first six games. An offense that leads the Northwoods League in every major hitting statistic struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position, including a fifth inning in which they left the bases loaded with nobody out. Combined with every pitcher that entered the game giving up an earned run, the Mallards never gave themselves a chance.
Pitching will need to take the upper hand for the Mallards to bounce back from last night’s 13-5 loss. Donnie Scott will turn to Patrick Boyle (Drew University) to right the ship in this one. The left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA after a five inning start last week.
Boyle threw four shutout innings against Battle Creek before allowing two runs in the fifth. His team was able to back him up, however, as Madison hitters were able to put eight runs on the board. He will need to be sharp in his outing this evening, as the Rafters are coming off a 22-hit performance that set a franchise record for most hits in a game.
Rafters manager Craig Noto, will send the right-handed Jay Peters (UW-Milwaukee) to the hill. The 6’5” junior took the no decision in a six inning outing last week in an eventual loss to Green Bay. Peters appeared in six games for the Rafters in 2015 and threw 73.2 innings for UW-Milwaukee this past season.
First pitch for tonight’s game will be at 6:35 pm. The game will be sponsored by the Delton Grand Wisconsin Dells, where 1,000 Dells coupon books and hotel stay giveaways will be handed out. Chris Clark, professional stunt rider, will also be making an appearance, presented by Schwinn. Tomorrow is also Summerween at the Duck Pond, and will feature postgame trick-or-treating. Kids 12 & under in costume will receive a free standing room only ticket. Tickets are available for purchase by visiting MallardsBaseball.com, calling the Mallards ticket office at 608-246-4277, or stopping in the ticket office at 2920 N Sherman Ave.
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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 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, 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, 150 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.MallardsBaseball.com
