Madison, Wis. – After an opening night victory, the Madison Mallards are set to face the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders again at the Duck Pond tonight at 6:35. In the opener, the Mallards offense was the story as they flew out to an early lead via the home run. Doran Turchin (Illinois), Brock Weimer (SIUE), and Cade Bunnell (Madison College) all went yard, driving in eight runs as a group. Starting pitcher Heath Renz (UW-Whitewater) earned the win on the mound as he went 5.0 innings, allowing zero earned runs, striking out three, and allowing just three hits. Ryan Schmitt (Illinois) was effective out of the bullpen as he tossed two hitless innings and struck out three.

In the second game of the two-game series, the Mallards plan to send Harvard sophomore Simon Rosenblum-Larson to the mound. Rosenblum-Larson, a righty who spent a short stint with the Mallards last season, started nine games for the Crimson this spring. He tossed 53.0 innings and tallied 54 strikeouts. Last summer in Madison, Rosenblum-Larson pitched four innings for the Mallards, allowing one run and striking out five.

The Dock Spiders will send lefty Ryan Connolly (Iowa Western) to the bump to oppose Rosenblum-Larson. Connolly started four games this spring at Iowa Western and posted a 1-1 record and a 5.11 ERA.

After reaching base in four of his five at bats and driving in three runs, Turchin will start in centerfield and bat in the middle of the lineup once again tonight. Turchin, who played 49 games in centerfield at Illinois this spring and hit eight home runs, will be a key run producer for the Mallards this summer. Weimer, who drew a pair of walks to go with his long ball last night, will also be slotted in the middle of the Mallards lineup.

Gates are set to open at 5:00 PM tonight at Warner Park and will feature the Chet’s Car Care 2017 Mallards magnet schedule giveaway. First pitch is at 6:35 PM.