The Madison Mallards (17-18, 36-34) welcome the Battle Creek Bombers (22-13, 42-28) to Warner Park on Saturday night for the beginning of the final series of the regular season. With the Mallards sitting a game back from the final playoff spot, the pair of games with Battle Creek are crucial and have a direct impact on Madison’s postseason hopes.
The Lakeshore Chinooks, who are in Wisconsin Rapids for a pair this weekend, hold a one game lead on the Mallards for the last spot in the South Division. The Mallards will need to finish the season strong and hope for Lakeshore losses in Rapids in order to make the playoffs.
Last night, the Mallards could only scratch across one run in a 7-1 loss to the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Despite the defeat, the top of the Madison lineup had a solid night at the plate as Cole Daily (Notre Dame) and Tommy Bullock (UNC-Charlotte) both tallied three hits. If the top of the Madison order can get on base tonight, the Mallards will have plenty of run scoring opportunities.
Scheduled to start for the Mallards tonight is Matt Horkey (UNC-Charlotte). The southpaw will be making his eleventh start of the summer and will be looking to improve his 4-4 record. Horkey has tossed 55.1 innings this season while striking out 40 and walking only 11. Horkey has only allowed more than three earned runs in just one start this year and will look to give the Mallards another chance to win tonight.
The Bombers will send Tyler Garam to the mound tonight to oppose Horkey. Garam owns a 1-3 record and a 3.74 ERA while making six starts this season. Garam has pitched 33.2 innings and has held opposing batters to a .296 batting average.
Game Notes
Season Series
The Mallards are 4-2 against Battle Creek this season and have outscored the Bombers 31 to 14. David Vinksy (Northwood) has been great against the Bombers this summer as he racked up five hits in three games earlier this season. Cole Daily has also been strong against Battle Creek as he owns a .348 batting average and a .483 on base percentage in six games this season.
Brilliant Buckley
Madison reliever Drew Buckley (California) has been brilliant out of the Madison bullpen recently. Over his last three appearances, Buckley has worked 6.2 scoreless innings while striking out nine and walking zero. Buckley has also been effective against Battle Creek this summer as he has allowed just one run on two hits in 3.1 innings of work while punching out five.
Tonight’s game is scheduled to start at 6:35 PM and gates will open at 5:00 PM. The game features the SweetRight Brothers presented by Madison Gas and Electric. It is also UW Health Strike Out Stroke Night. Listen to all Mallards games live by tuning into The Zone 106.7 FM or 1670 AM. For more Mallards coverage, visit mallardsbaseball.com.
