Mallards Ready for Two Against the Rivets

Madison plays in Rockford at 11:00 AM before hosting the Rivets at 7:05 PM

Madison, Wis. –  The Madison Mallards (14-10, 42-18) are set two play two against the Rockford Rivets (8-17, 26-33) today, starting in Rockford at 11:00 AM. The teams will then head to Madison to play the nightcap at 7:05 PM. Tonight’s game at the Duck Pond will feature the ZOOperstars! and Alliant Energy STEM night and gates will open at 5:30 PM

 

The Mallards have won 12 of their last 14 games and continue to extend their lead in the South Division overall standings over the Kalamazoo Growlers. After pulling away to beat the Dock Spiders last night, the Mallards will be searching for their fourth straight win the first game today.

 

Probable Pitchers

 

In game one, the Mallards plan to send San Jose State righty Justin Watland to the mound. Watland will be making his ninth start of the summer and will look to improve his 2-1 record. Watland has tossed 40.0 innings for the Mallards this summer and has held opponents to a .243 average against him. Watland lasted 5.0 innings in his last start and allowed only one run on four hits.

 

Later tonight, the Mallards will send Creighton righty Jonah Smith to the bump for his first start of the season. Smith has been dominant out of the bullpen this summer, posting a 2.07 ERA through 21 appearances and 30.1 innings. Smith has totaled 30 strikeouts while allowing only 28 hits. Smith currently holds an 8.0 innings scoreless streak while totaling eight strikeouts during that span.

 

Players to Watch

 

InfielderJustice Bigbie (Western Carolina) has been on fire at the plate, recording a hit in four straight games. Bigbie has had multiple RBIs in three straight ballgames and had a knock last night after going 4-for-5 in Fond du Lac two nights ago. Bigbie has seen time in the designated hitter slot and at third base.

 

After falling close to .290 last week, Mallards infielder Trevor Schwecke (UW-Milwaukee) has raised his average back up to .299 by totaling five hits over his last three games. Schwecke had a double and two walks last night while also knocking in a pair of runs. Schwecke now has 61 hits this summer and has posted 17 extra base hits.

 

For tickets and more information visit mallardsbaseball.com. Make sure to catch every Mallards game game on The Zone, 1670 AM and 96.7 FM.

 

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The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.mallardsbaseball.comor download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Mallards as your favorite team.