By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — July 25, 2013. The Madison Mallards (13-7, 34-19) head back to the diamond Thursday night to square off against the Battle Creek Bombers (6-13, 20-33) to start a nine-game home stand.
Four Mallards players competed in the 19th Northwoods League All Star Game on Tuesday. Despite the North Division capturing the 7-5 win, all four Mallards contributed.
Luke Staub (George Washington) started on the hill and went 1.2 innings. He struck out two in a 1-2-3 first inning but walked a batter and allowed a two-run home run one batter later in the second.
Mallards cleanup hitter Drew Weeks (North Florida) went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the No. 3 hole and tied the game at four with a two-run single in the bottom of the second.
John LaPrise (Virginia) played third base for the South while hitting in the No. 2 spot and went 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. He scored a ninth-inning run to pull the North within 7-5 after leading off the inning with a free pass.
Mallards reliever Sam Forkert (Marian) came on in the seventh and worked around a walk and a base hit to pitch a scoreless inning.
Pitching tonight for the Mallards will be Taylore Cherry (North Carolina). The 6’9″ righty has allowed only three earned runs on 11 hits over his last 10 innings but has struggled with command and has issued nine walks. He most recently pitched on July 18th at home against Green Bay and received a no-decision after allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits over five innings. He notched his only win of the season on July 12th at Lakeshore in a 7-1 Mallards win.
The Mallards have waived shortstop Mike Reuvekamp (California) and pitchers Greg Welsh (Penn State), Nick Smith (Western Illinois) and Hunter May (UNC-Charlotte) for violating team rules.
Slightly Slumping
Over the last ten games, the Mallards are hitting only .243 and are averaging 4.8 runs per game over that stretch. Despite the mild setback on offense, the Mallards are still 6-4 over the same span. They also still lead the South Division in hitting with a .279 team batting average and are .021 points higher than the South Division’s second-best hitting team (Lakeshore).
Up Next:
The second game of the three-game series against the Bombers will take place Friday night at 7:05 pm at the “Duck Pond.”
There will be a Meriter and Physicians Plus Blanket giveaway and a MINI of Madison Keychain giveaway for Friday night’s game! Badger Bowl Bowling Night and the Family Support and Research Center Community Connection Night will also be held.
The Madison Mallards are your Northwoods League South Division First Half Champions! Playoff tickets are on-sale now!
The Madison Mallards are part of the 16-team Northwoods League. The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. In 2013, the Northwoods League is celebrating its 20th season.
