Headlines
Subscribe to our Newsletter|
‘It translates into how we play’: Coughlin’s and Robles’ chemistry leads Mallards to fiery start
Neither Tommy Coughlin nor Jordan Robles believes they are battling in a fierce home run race. After all, they're teammates. They instead view it as a friendly competition — a source of motivation to perform better.
The power-hitting duo of Midwest Mallards have each smashed a league-best four home runs in six games. In the team's most recent victory, Coughlin hit an opposite-field home run, tying Robles at four. "I was joking with him when we were driving back to the airport together like 'I'm doing my best to keep up with you,'" Coughlin said.
New York native Robles flies to Detroit whenever the Mallards have a series. Coughlin picks him up and drives him back to Brighton, Michigan, where Major League Wiffle Ball holds its games.
It's not often that Coughlin talks about Wiffle Ball with someone for an hour-long car ride, he said. But he finds it effortless with Robles, who has competed in national tournaments for over 10 years despite having a rookie status in MLW. The Mallards have played two series this season, meaning four trips to and from the airport. And the more drives to the airport, the stronger their friendship develops.
"We talk a lot of wiffs, but also just about each other's personal lives," Coughlin said. "Getting to know each other, it's been helpful."
Robles agreed the strong bond has positively affected their performances on the field. Even the duo's excellent batting numbers closely align. Robles is slashing .478/.676/1.000, while Coughlin's slash line is .421/.694/1.053.
"Definitely feel a lot closer (with Coughlin), and it translates into how we play," Robles said. "I want to come through for everybody, and I want to win."
Aside from allowing a walk-off home run against the Coastal Cobras, Robles has led the Mallards to five wins on the mound, posting a 1.84 earned run average with 29 strikeouts in roughly 15 innings.
At the plate, Robles hit two home runs in the same inning against reigning Cy Young winner Jimmy Knorp en route to sweeping the defending champion Downtown Diamondbacks in three games. Robles and Coughlin combined for six home runs in the series.
"There's nothing better than to win three games and go have a nice family dinner with the Coughlin family," Robles said. "Nothing but good things over there."
Coughlin has been conscious of the revamped team chemistry, especially after posting a franchise-worst 4-11 record in 2021 and missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
"Our team chemistry has been better than in years prior in good part to Jordan," Coughlin said. "He has great energy; you can see he brings a lot of confidence and swagger."
Through just the first two series, the Mallards have more wins this year than last. And Coughlin's resurgence is noteworthy: he’s already matched his home run total from last season in less than half as many games.
"Knowing you have a guy out there who's going to throw strikes and get outs, it takes pressure off you as a hitter," Coughlin said. "Having a solid arm out there is a stress reliever off of the entire offense."
The Mallards are currently 5-1, tied with the Eastern Eagles in the national league. Both teams are facing each other next in a highly anticipated series.
"As soon as we left Brighton to head back to Detroit for Jordan's flight, we were already talking about the next series against the Eagles," Coughlin said. "It'll be a battle. It's going to feel like an early preview of what's to come in the postseason."
While Coughlin feels confident the team's success can continue, he pointed out he wants his team to take it one game, inning, and pitch at a time. Coughlin said Robles told him, you can't win a championship in June.
"There's still a lot of season to play," Coughlin said. "Being 5-1, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else other than 6-0, but it feels good to see results after putting in the work."
|
