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Northwoods Madison Mallards

14-Inning marathon ends in Mallards' victory

June 25, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


LA CROSSE, WI - The Madison Mallards defeated the La Crosse Loggers 11-9 in a grueling14-inning game at Copeland Park Friday night.

The game had everything, from offensive explosions to solid defense. The scoring started very early in the game, as the Mallards busted out two runs in the first inning on five hits. Niko Fraser (Elon) scored the first run, and Mike McQuillan scored later in the inning on an RBI single by Andrew Barna (Davidson). Madison scored two more times in the third inning to take an early 4-0 lead.

La Crosse would counter in the bottom of the third, as Thomas McCarthy (Kentucky) hit a three-run home run that scored Jimmy Brennan (St. John's) and Tyler Smith (Wright State). The team was not done, as Smith would hit a grand slam in the fourth. The home run was the first grand slam for either the Mallards or their opponent in a game this season.

The scoring ceased until the sixth, and that is when things really got interesting.

Already with a 7-4 lead, the Loggers scored twice in the sixth off of Mallards' reliever Jonathon Crawford (Florida). Mike Hill (Long Beach State) and Trevor Brown (UCLA) scored the runs for La Crosse, who would lead by five going into the seventh inning.

The Mallards answered with a heavy offensive attack in inning number seven, tallying four runs of their own. Fraser and Tyler Jones (Long Island) each scored on wild pitches by Brandon Bixler (Florida Gulf Coast). Barna drove in his second run of the day as Nate Theunissen (Central Michigan) scored on a single, and Justin Parr (Illinois) drove in Jones with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to round out the scoring in the seventh.

Carrying momentum into the eighth frame, the Mallards scored the tying run on a passed ball. Fraser scored his third run of the game, and the teams went into extras from there.

The best defense of the night was arguably played between innings nine through thirteen, as no runs would cross home plate in those five innings.

As the game moved into the 14th inning, the Mallards finally took advantage of some La Crosse miscues. Willie Argo (Illinois) lead off the inning with a single and would steal second. He would advance to third on a fly ball hit by Mike McQuillan (Iowa). Argo scored on a fielder's choice by Jordan Owen (Tennessee - Martin), and Owen advanced to second on an error. Owen scored the second run of the inning on a single by Theunissen after advancing to third on a wild pitch.

Earning the win for Madison was newly-activated reliever Tony Bryant (Oregon State). Bryant (1-0) came in to pitch starting in the 13th inning. He allowed no runs on one hit, one walk, and had two strikeouts while facing eight batters in the two innings that he pitched.

Mallards' starter Jerad Grundy (Heartland Community College) pitched five innings in the no-decision. He gave up seven runs (three earned) and had five hits allowed, five walks, and five strikeouts.

Also making appearances in relief for the Ducks were the aforementioned Crawford, Matt Milroy (Illinois), and Travis Parker (St. Louis). Combined, the bullpen went nine innings, allowing only two runs (one earned) on six hits. The group of four pitchers walked only three and struck out eleven, adding to the already impressive list of excellent outings from the 'pen for the Mallards this season.

Jordan Haseltine (San Francisco) took the loss for La Crosse, after pitching three innings. He allowed two earned runs, both coming in the 14th, and his record now stands at 0-1.

Starter Brando Tessar (Oregon) pitched six innings and gave up five runs on ten hits. Coming into Friday, Tessar had given up only two earned runs on the season, and after the Loggers' loss, his ERA increases to 3.15.

With the win, the Mallards improve to a season-high seven games over .500 at 15-8. They remain one-half game behind the Eau Claire Express for first-place in the South Division of the Northwoods League. Eau Claire defeated Waterloo 2-1 earlier Friday evening.

After a night of well-deserved rest, the teams will head back to the "Duck Pond" for the finale of the three-game series. The Mallards will be looking for the sweep at the 6:05 p.m. contest.



Northwoods League Stories from June 25, 2011


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