The Madison Mallards (7-10) are traveling east to Battle Creek for two weekend games with the Bombers (13-5). The Mallards are coming off of a series split with the Green Bay Bullfrogs while the Bombers have won three straight and sit 3.5 games behind the Rafters in the South Division.
The Bombers are led offensively by outfielder Tom Stoffel. Stoffel is batting .452 through 62 at bats and has knocked in 16 runs. He comes into Saturday’s game riding a six-game hit streak. As a team, Battle Creek holds a .274 clip at the plate which is good for second place in the Northwoods League. The Bombers lead the league in doubles, with 36 so far this season.
For Madison, first baseman Angel Camacho (Jacksonville) will look to build on his performance last night as he hit his first home run in a Mallards uniform. Camacho now owns a .348 average and has knocked in six runs in just five games with the Mallards. If Camacho can continue to be a threat in the middle of the lineup, look for the Mallards to tack on more runs in high-leverage situations. Shortstop Cole Daily (Notre Dame) has also been hot lately batting out of the Mallards lead-off spot. After hitting a double yesterday, Daily has now hit in four straight games and owns a .357 average. He’s struck out just seven times and has drawn nine walks.
Scheduled to start for the Mallards is Heath Renz (UW-Whitewater). Renz is 1-0 this season and has a 2.31 ERA. He has pitched 11.2 innings and has tallied ten strikeouts. In his last outing, he gave up just one earned run and struck out six in 4.2 innings pitched.
Set to oppose Renz is Bombers starter James Rogers. Rogers has made one start this season, a six-inning outing against the Woodchucks. He allowed four runs on eleven hits and walked a pair.
After the two game set in Battle Creek, the Mallards will return to the Duck Pond on Tuesday, June 20th to take on the Rockford Rivets for an afternoon matinee at 12:05 PM. Gates are set to open at 10:30 AM. Listen to all Mallards games live by tuning into The Zone 106.7 FM or 1670 AM. For more Mallards coverage, visit mallardsbaseball.com.
