After last night’s rainout, the Madison Mallards (15-13) are headed to Wisconsin Rapids to take on the Rafters (23-5) in a doubleheader at Witter Field. The Mallards have the opportunity to gain ground on the division-leading Rafters who are eight games ahead of Madison. The doubleheader is a result of the June 12th game that was rained out. The first game of the doubleheader will begin at 5:05 PM and the second will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Both games will be seven innings instead of a regular nine.
The Mallards will need their offense to click on all cylinders to beat the dominant Rafters. Jeffery Mitchell Jr. (California) will be a key part of the Madison attack as he has been scorching hot as he has a five-game hitting streak and has reached base in nineteen straight ballgames. Mitchell Jr. knocked in four runs two nights ago and now has totaled eight RBI in his last four games.
Overall, the top and middle of the Madison lineup has been a huge part of the team’s recent success. Leadoff man Cole Daily (Notre Dame) has continued to rake as he has an eight-game hitting streak and a .362 batting average, which still leads the team. Daily has shown an all-around great approach at the dish as he’s drawn six walks in the last five games while striking out only once. Daily’s effectiveness in the Madison leadoff spot has given the Mallards offense a boost recently.
The Madison bullpen has also been a huge part of the recent hot streak. Relievers Andrew Buckley (California) and Mitch Vogrin (Illinois State) have been lights out over the last ten ballgames as both have made four appearances. Buckley has tossed nine scoreless innings and struck out nine while Vogrin has pitched 8.1 innings while racking up eleven strikeouts and allowing only one run.
Set to start the first game for the Mallards tonight is lengthy right-hander Will Anderson. Anderson, who just finished his sophomore season at Northern Illinois, has worked exclusively out of the Mallards bullpen this season. Anderson has tossed 11.2 innings and struck out 12 while holding opposing batters to a .256 batting average. His last appearance was on June 21st in Fond du Lac when he went 4.2 innings and allowed just one run on three hits.
For the second half of the doubleheader, the Mallards will send Davis Moore (Fresno State) to the mound. Moore has made eight appearances this season for Madison and owns a 4.26 ERA through 12.2 innings. In his last outing, a start against the Wisconsin Woodchucks, Moore went four innings and gave up only two runs on one hit.
The Mallards will return to the Duck Pond on Friday, June 30 for another game against the Rafters. The game will feature SSM Health Sun Prairie Night and is also Let’s Make a Deal Night presented by Madison.com. For live updates of tonight’s games, check out @MadisonMallards on Twitter and to listen live tune into The Zone 1670AM or 106.7FM WOZN.
