Last night, the Madison Mallards (21-10) took a harsh 11-5 loss to the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (13-17) in front of their home crowd. The Dock Spiders powerful offense in the fifth inning shut down the Mallards chance at victory.
Today, the Mallards travel to compete in the first game of an eight game road trip. Madison’s first stop is in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to finish the series against the Dock Spiders. The Mallards remain in first place, a triumph tonight will split the series with Fond du Lac and award Madison their 22nd win of the season.
Starting on the bump for the Mallards is RHP Ben Specht (Florida). Specht is making his third start on the mound for Madison. Over his last two appearances he has powered through nine and a third innings, earning 12 strikeouts and allowing only four walks.
Once the series against the Dock Spiders is complete, the Mallards will travel to Green Bay (15-16) for a two game series against the Booyah on June 29 and 30. This matchup marks the fourth meeting between the two teams. The last series resulted in a split. Green Bay is in fourth place in the Great Lakes West division, trailing six games behind the Mallards.
Kicking off the month of July, Madison will continue on the road to Kapco Park for a contest against the Lakeshore Chinooks (12-19). Lakeshore currently sits in last place in the Great Lakes West division, nine games behind the first place Mallards. When the teams last met in early June for a two game series, the Mallards earned a sweep.
For their fourth stop of the trip, the Mallards will proceed to Kokomo, Indiana, in a series against the Jackrabbits (15-13). The Jackrabbits and Mallards last faced each other at the Duck Pond for Madison’s home opener series, where the Mallards earned their first sweep of the season.The Jackrabbits hold second place in the Great Lakes East division. Kokomo is only one and a half games behind the first place Traverse City Pit Spitters (18-13).
Finally, the road trip will be completed after a night in Wausau, Wisconsin, for game one of a two game series against the Woodchucks (17-14). The last series between the two resulted in a split. After game one is concluded, both the Woodchucks and the Mallards will make their way to the Duck Pond the following day for game two.
The Northwoods League is almost at the halfway point of the season and the Mallards continue to claim the best record in the league honors. Madison is three and a half games ahead of the second place Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (17-13) and nine games ahead of the last place Chinooks.
Mallards fans can welcome the team back to the Duck Pond on Saturday, July 6. There will be a post-game concert performed by Run Forrest Run, presented by MGE. The concert will be followed by Pepsi post-game fireworks.
