Northwoods Madison Mallards

Another walk-off win as Mallards down Bombers

Published on July 2, 2011 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


MADISON, WI - The Madison Mallards defeated the Battle Creek Bombers 5-4 in front of a sold-out "Duck Pond" crowd of 6,750 in another exciting come-from-behind victory in their last at-bat. Down by one run in the bottom of the eleventh inning, Mike McQuillan (Iowa) drove in a run with a fielder's choice ground out, and Niko Fraser (Elon) followed with a game-winning bunt single. The win gives the Mallards a two-game lead in the South Division with four games left to play in the first half of the season.

Early on, it appeared as though the game would be very low scoring as pitching stole the show for both teams.

The Mallards scored in the very first inning as Willie Argo (Illinois) scored on an RBI ground out by Jordan Owen (Tennessee - Martin). Madison would be held scoreless until the tenth inning when Mike McQuillan (Iowa) drove in two runs with a triple to tie the game.

Battle Creek answered the Mallards' early score with a run of their own in the top of the fifth inning. Ryne Otis (Taylor University) reached on an error and would score on a hit by Daniel Rockett (Texas - San Antonio). Like the Mallards, the Bombers would remain scoreless until the tenth inning as Otis and Rockett would come around to score to give Battle Creek a two-run lead until the Mallards answered back with McQuillan's hit.

Heading into the 11th tied at 3-3, Otis hit a solo home run to center field to propel Battle Creek to a 4-3 lead.

Madison came to bat and got to work quickly. Owen drew a leadoff walk, and Nate Theunissen (Central Michigan) followed with a single.

After a fielder's choice by Justin Scanlon (Michigan State), Tyler Jones (Long Island) was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. McQuillan would go on to drive in his third run of the game to tie the score, and Fraser followed with his game-winning bunt single that scored Scanlon from third.

Pitching for the Mallards was solid yet again, as the Ducks gave up four runs on nine hits over the eleven innings played.

Starting pitcher Estevan Uriegas (Texas A&M) went five innings and allowed an unearned run in his first start of the season. He also walked one and struck out three.

Uriegas was removed after the fifth and was succeeded by Nick Sutherland (Minnesota State - Mankato), Chris Lamb (Davidson), Matt Milroy (Illinois), Zach White (Wake Forest), and Tony Bryant (Oregon State). Bryant picked up the win for the Mallards, improving to 2-0 on the season after giving up one run on one hit in the eleventh.

Taking the loss for Battle Creek was Kristian Calibuso (Eastern Michigan). Calibuso (2-2) went 1.1 innings and surrendered the two runs to the Mallards in their half of the eleventh.

Starter Nick Frey (TCU) went four innings allowing one run and was followed by Nolan Sanburn (Arkansas) and Ryan Halstead (Indiana) before Calibuso took over on the mound.

Both teams will play again at the "Duck Pond" on Sunday, as the Mallards look to sweep the two-game set and take the first-half season series against the Bombers three games to two. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m., and gates will open at 3:30 p.m.

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Northwoods League Stories from July 2, 2011


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