After being the last pitcher on the mound for the Mallards in 2015, Justin Watts was determined to start the Mallards off on the right foot in 2016. After striking out ten Battle Creek hitters in his 2016 debut, Watts is definitely on the right track. Madison earned the 8-3 win over the Bombers behind Watts’ performance in their first matchup of opening week, presented by Edvest.
Watts turned in 4 2/3 innings of work, giving up four hits and three walks while allowing just one earned run. He was accompanied by big games at the plate from Joe Stefanki (San Jose State), AJ Montoya (Toledo) and Matt Vierling (Notre Dame), who each tallied three hits.
The Bombers struggled with men on base, as they reached base safely 14 times while only scoring three runs. They left the bases loaded in the seventh inning, their only real chance of getting back into the game.
The teams will match up again tomorrow morning, with Patrick Boyle (Drew University) set to take on Scott Sency (Saginaw Valley) at 9:05 AM.
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
