Madison, Wis. – The Madison Mallards (7-6, 26-22) take on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (8-4, 35-13) at Warner Park tonight for the second game of a two-game set. After the Rafters came out on top last night, the Mallards will look to respond and earn a series split with the South Division leaders.
After falling a game and a half back in the division race due to last night’s defeat, the Mallards will battle the Rafters again to keep pace in the NWL South. The Mallards had a tough time driving in runs last night, especially in high-leverage situations. If a few hits can fall in key spots tonight, the Mallards offense can get back on track.
Scheduled to take the bump for the Mallards tonight is righty Heath Renz (UW Whitewater). Renz has made eight starts this season for the Mallards and owns a 4.32 ERA. He has posted a 3-1 record while tossing 33.1 innings. Renz has tallied 28 strikeouts and has issued 21 free passes while holding opposing batters to a .256 batting average. In his last outing, Renz went four innings in the Mallards 7-5 win over the Bullfrogs.
Set to oppose Renz is Rafters starter Jesse Slinger. Slinger, an NWL All-Star, has made six starts this season and has worked 42 total innings. He owns a 5-1 record and a 2.35 ERA and has sat down 22 batters on strikes. Slinger took a loss in his last outing as he went 5.2 innings against the Battle Creek Bombers and gave up five runs on six hits.
Game Notes
More from Mitchell Jr.
Madison right fielder Jeffery Mitchell Jr. (California) tallied two hits last night and knocked in a run. Mitchell Jr. sits in second place on the team in RBI with 38 and has multiple hits in each of his last two games. Overall, he is batting .275 and has racked up 12 doubles this season.
#1 for Tommy Baseball
Mallards third baseman Thomas Smart (Oakton) went yard last night to give the Mallards a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Smart’s dinger was his first of the season. Smart has tallied six hits over his last four games and continues to be the Mallards everyday third baseman.
Settling In
Madison utility man Sam Armstrong (Jacksonville) has been finding his groove with the Mallards since arriving earlier this month. Armstrong had two hits last night and has now hit in four straight ballgames. Armstrong has knocked in nine runs through 15 games.
Tonight’s game is scheduled to start at 7:05 PM at the Duck Pond and gates are will open at 5:30 PM. The game features the Festival Foods Duckling Maynard bobblehead giveaway. For live updates of tonight’s game, check out @MadisonMallards on Twitter and listen live on The Zone 1670 AM or 106.7 FM WOZN.
