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Northwoods Madison Mallards

Mallards Go for Win Number Two Tonight in Rapids

June 2, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI - After defeating the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 4-2 on Wednesday night, the Madison Mallards will head back to Witter Field in hopes of capturing back-to-back wins to start the season. After an offensive outburst which saw the Mallards pound out 16 hits, field manager Greg Labbe says that the team laid a solid foundation last night and will look to build on their successes at the plate.

"We absolutely hit the ball well last night," Labbe said. "However, we did not capitalize on a lot of our scoring chances. We need to minimize our mistakes and take full advantage of the opportunities that we create for ourselves. As the team becomes familiar with the style of the Northwoods League and develops a daily routine, our success rate on cashing in on scoring situations will increase."

Hitting coach Luis Raffan echoed Labbe's sentiment.

"We had no hits with runners in scoring position in game one," Raffan said. "We also didn't do a good job of getting the leadoff man on base. If we can work on those two components of our offense, we will be able to tally many more runs throughout the course of the season."

One of the players who set a good example of how to score runs last night was outfielder Niko Fraser (Elon), who scored two of the four runs for the Mallards.

"It comes down to knowing the situation of the game," Fraser said. "Last night was the first game for a lot of guys in a new league, so I was trying to be aggressive and put all of the pressure on the defense, both when hitting and running the bases."

Not only will the Mallards rely on a sizzling offense, but they will turn to the pitching staff looking for a similar performance from a night ago. Right-handed pitcher Chris Burgess (Blackhawk College) will get the call for Madison tonight. During his season at Blackhawk, Burgess went 5-3 with a 1.89 ERA in 52.1 innings pitched. He compiled a strikeout-to-walk ratio of better than 4-to-1, walking only 16 batters and striking out 65.

"One thing that Chris will need to do is pitch to contact," Labbe said. "If he can deliver his pitches quickly and develop a steady flow out there, he'll do a good job for us."

The Rafters will counter with their second left-handed pitcher in as many nights, as Brad Douthit (USC) will toe the rubber tonight. Douthit made 15 appearances this past season for the Trojans, with no wins or losses and a 7.88 ERA.

Just as last night's opener, tonight's second game of the three-game set will begin at 7:05 p.m.

The Madison Mallards are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League and will play a 70-game schedule 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.



Northwoods League Stories from June 2, 2011


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