Northwoods Madison Mallards

Ducks Look to Continue Historic Start against Loggers

Published on June 5, 2011 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


LA CROSSE, WI - The Madison Mallards are off to the best start in team history. At 4-0, the Ducks head back to Copeland Park looking for their second sweep of the season as they face the Loggers (1-3) this evening. Game time is slated for 5:05 p.m. Right now, everything seems to be working for the Mallards. Offensively, the team could not be any hotter after putting up a season-high fourteen runs a night ago. Mallards' hitters are batting .324 with ten extra base hits, including three home runs; two of which came in last night's win.

Pitching continues to dominate the spotlight as well. The team boasts a 1.25 ERA through the first four games of the season, and the bullpen has yet to allow a run.

"We're pitching to contact right now," said pitching coach Jason Olson. "We're not trying to do too much with our guys, and with we've been taking advantage of hitters as they try to make the transition to wood bats."

Defense has also been good for the Mallards. Although the team has committed four errors this season, they are vastly improving. A sign of their improvement came last night, as the Ducks played their first errorless game.

Toeing the rubber for the Ducks today will be Tom Windle (Minnesota). Windle has appeared in one game already for the Mallards. He pitched a scoreless 1-2-3 innings on June 2nd against the Rafters, striking out one batter and earning a hold in the team's 3-2 victory.

Jake Stassi (Long Beach State) will throw for the Loggers. Stassi will be the fourth lefty to start against the Mallards through the first five games of the season. Stassi has yet to pitch this season, but did fairly well for Long Beach State this season. In ten appearances for Dirtbags, Stassi went 0-1 with a 3.50 ERA. A new Northwoods League season-high 3,837 people attended last night's game at Copeland Park, and field manager Greg Labbe expects the atmosphere of tonight's game to be the same.

"I have always loved coming to play here," Labbe said. "The field is great and you know the fans are always going to show up in bunches. It provides a good environment for the guys and it really motivates us to do well."

In the News

The record-breaking start to the season for the Mallards has not gone unnoticed by the Northwoods League. For the fourth night in a row, a member of the Ducks has been named as a recipient of one of two nightly honors distributed by the league.

Infielder/outfielder Jay Golden (Blackhawk College) was awarded the "Player of the Night" after going 3-5 at the plate with two RBI and four runs scored. Golden joins Mike McQuillan (Iowa) as the only two Mallards to win this distinction.

Players Jumpy Garcia (Texas A&M - Corpus Christi) and Justin Scanlon (Michigan State) have reported to the team. Look for them to see some action with the Ducks for the first time this season fairly soon.

The Madison Mallards are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League and will open in the new-and-improved "Duck Pond" beginning on Opening Day, June 7th against the Wisconsin Woodchucks at 7:05p.m.

Single-game tickets for the 2011 season are now on sale! Fans can purchase tickets one of three ways: 1) online by clicking here, 2) over the phone by calling the ticket office at 608.316.DUCK (3825), or 3) in-person at the "Duck Pond" weekdays 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. & 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday's. Group tickets, including hospitality areas perfect for company outings are on sale as well.

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