The Madison Mallards are ready to open their 2016 season this evening, as Justin Watts (Northern Kentucky University) will lead the Mallards into Battle Creek, to take on the Bombers as part of opening week of the Northwoods League, presented by Edvest. First pitch is set for 6:05 pm.
Watts, a right-handed junior from Bryan, OH, returns to the Mallards for his second season. In 2015, Watts threw 15.2 innings out of the Mallards’ bullpen, where he struck out 21 batters. In his junior season at NKU, Watts threw 65 innings across 11 starts and five relief appearances. He led the Norse with a team high 62 strikeouts.
The Bombers will throw southpaw Jordan Horak (University of Portland), a 6’0,” 190-pound sophomore. Horak made 14 starts for the Pilots in 2016, throwing 62 innings and striking out 61 batters.
Returning for his fourth season in Madison, manager Donnie Scott is excited for what the 2016 campaign holds for the Mallards. “I’m very excited to start this 2016 season,” said Scott. “I feel that we have a very competitive club that fans will be extremely proud of.”
Fans can follow along with tonight’s game at Battle Creek by listening to the broadcast at madcitysportszone.com or by tuning into 106.7 FM/1670 AM. Live stats will also be available at MallardsBaseball.com.
The Mallards will host their home opener on Friday, June 3rd when they take on the new Northwoods League affiliate Rockford Rivets. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm. Single-game tickets for the 2016 season are on sale NOW! Tickets are available for purchase by visiting MallardsBaseball.com, calling the Mallards ticket office at 608-246-4277, or stopping in the ticket office at 2920 N Sherman Ave.
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The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.MallardsBaseball.com
Edvest is Wisconsin’s 529 College Savings Plan designed to help families save for higher education expenses. It takes just $25 to start an Edvest college savings plan, and account owners can choose from more than 22 investment portfolios while enjoying one of the lowest cost 529 plans in the U.S. along with in-state tax advantages for Wisconsin residents.
SavingforCollege.com recently ranked Edvest as one of the Top 15 in 529 Performance, the ninth Lowest Cost 529 plans, as well as awarded the program a 5-Cap Rating, which indicates that a 529 plan offers outstanding flexibility, attractive investments and additional economic benefits. Find out more at www.edvest.com.
