Northwoods Madison Mallards

It's Off to La Crosse as Mallards Begin Two-Game Set with Loggers

Published on June 4, 2011 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


MADISON, WI - June 4, 2011 - The Madison Mallards boarded the team bus and are off to La Crosse to face the 1-2 Loggers Saturday night for a 6:05 p.m. start time. The undefeated Ducks look to spoil the home opener for Loggers at Copeland Park. The Mallards are off to a hot start this season, having swept the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters in a three-game series at Witter Field. The Loggers are coming home for the first time after a three-game set of their own against the Green Bay Bullfrogs at Johannes Stadium in Green Bay.

Heading into this brief two-game series, the Mallards have been arguably the most consistent team in the Northwoods League. The team is hitting at a .324 clip, tops in the league. However, it has been the pitching that has stood out thus far. The Mallards have allowed only four runs (three earned) for a team ERA of 1.00, also tops in the league. Other staggering numbers are the .177 opponent's batting average against the Mallards and the team's .88 WHIP.

Mallards' first-year pitching coach Jason Olson is pleased with the performances of his pitchers to begin the season.

"Right now we are focusing on simplifying the game," Olson said Saturday morning. "Our guys have their fastballs working early and often. We're getting ahead of the hitters and setting up pitchers counts quite often."

When asked about the approach the Mallard hurlers are taking, Olson simply said that the team is holding nothing back.

"We can't be afraid on the mound," Olson said. "The goal is to pitch to contact and to trust the defense behind us. Pitchers in this league cannot pitch to miss the bat; otherwise their pitch counts will get too high. We've just done a good job of mixing in off-speed pitches with our fastballs."

Field Manager Greg Labbe had similar praise for his pitching staff, but also noted his team's aggressive style of play against the Rafters.

"We've been so aggressive, especially on the bases," Labbe said after last night's win. "We've also made some mistakes, but the coaches and I will never get on a player's case for being too aggressive. We like putting the stresses of making a play on the opposition, and if they make a play on us, we'll just get 'em the next time."

Tonight's pitching matchup is a head-to-head duel featuring two right-handed pitchers. Ryan Bores (Cuyahoga Community College) will make his first start for the Ducks and La Crosse native Drew Ghelfi (Iowa Central Community College) will toe the rubber for the Loggers. Bores will have his hands full, as the Loggers found their groove at the dish last night in their first win of the season. The team scored seven runs on eleven hits, three of those good for extra bases.

Bores went 4-1 with a 1.46 ERA in seven appearances for Cuyahoga Community College. In 37 complete innings of work, he struck out 40 batters while walking only 11.

"We're looking for consistency from Ryan and our other pitchers who may see game action tonight," said Olson. "Although we pitched really well against Wisconsin Rapids, we have to look forward and not backwards and focus entirely on this game tonight. Three wins will not get us into the playoffs, and we have to go by the old saying 'Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint."

Game time is 6:05 p.m. tonight from "The Lumber Yard."

In the News

For the second night in a row, the Mallards' starting pitcher was named Northwoods League "Pitcher of the Night." Cash Collins (Wofford) took the honor by throwing six shutout innings and allowing no earned runs against Wisconsin Rapids.

Collins joins Chris Burgess (Blackhawk Community College) on the list of the Mallards' "Pitcher of the Night" recipients. Mike McQuillan (Iowa) was awarded the "Player of the Night" recognition opening night.

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.

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