Northwoods Madison Mallards

Spranger Throws as Mallards Commence Key Road Swing

July 25, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


Madison, Wis. - The lengthiest road swing of the Madison Mallards (13-8, 33-23) second-half schedule will commence tonight at 6:35 p.m. in Mequon, as field manager Donnie Scott and company battle the Lakeshore Chinooks (9-16, 26-31) in the opener of a two-game set at Kapco Park. Saturday's contest will mark the beginning of a six-game road tour versus divisional competition for Madison, who holds possession of second place in the South Division's second-half standings.

Left-handed pitcher Grant Spranger (Southeastern CC) will receive his sixth starting appearance of the summer in tonight's series opener. Spranger, a 6-foot-1 southpaw from Bettendorf, Ia., has surrendered just two earned runs on six hits across his two most recent starts (9.2 IP) for the Mallards rotation - an effort that has lowered his season ERA to 3.11 over 12 appearances (34.2 IP). Overall, opponents have managed just two extra-base hits against him this summer.

The Chinooks will counter Spranger with left-handed pitcher Zach Lowther (Xavier) to open this weekend's two-game tilt. Lowther, a 6-foot-2 southpaw, was chased by the Mallards lineup after just two innings of work with three earned runs allowed July 17 at the Duck Pond, a game in which Madison was victorious by a final mark of 6-2. In total, Lowther carries into tonight a 2-4 record, 6.06 ERA and 32:18 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 11 summer appearances (32.2 IP).

Goldstein's Stellar Night, Season - Despite the 16-6 outcome in favor of La Crosse last night at the Duck Pond, Mallards catcher Jason Goldstein (Illinois) turned in an impressive evening at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double, two runs batted in, one run scored and a walk. The performance lifted his season on-base percentage to .418 - highest of any Madison hitter with a minimum of 50 at-bats during the 2015 regular season.

The Mallards will return to the Duck Pond on Saturday, August 1 at 6:05 p.m. against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (10-9, 22-32). Saturday will feature The Diamond Center Dig post-game, ice cream scoop giveaway for Mallards fans, while Zimbrick Honda will also present a free kids clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m on the field. For tickets or questions about the clinic, call the Mallards Ticket Office at 608-246-4277 or visit www.MallardsBaseball.com for more information.



Northwoods League Stories from July 25, 2015


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