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Northwoods Madison Mallards

Late-Inning Excitement Leads to Mallards' Victory

August 12, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


MADISON, WI - The Madison Mallards defeated the Wisconsin Woodchucks 9-4 in an exciting late-inning contest seen by 6,750 fans at the "Duck Pond" Thursday night. Madison was tied 4-4 going into the eighth inning after Wisconsin made a nice comeback, and the Mallards answered by scoring five times in the inning to get the victory. The win was the second in as many nights against the Woodchucks and brings the Mallards within one game of a series sweep.

The Mallards wasted no time in terms of scoring runs on offense.

Matt Juengel (Texas A&M) hit a two-out single in the first inning and after a stolen base and a couple of wild pitches, put the Mallards on the board first. The score remained at 1-0 until the fifth inning when Tyler Jones (Long Island) hit a solo, line-drive home run into left field to bring the lead to 2-0.

After Wisconsin scored a run in the sixth to bring the deficit back to one, the Mallards quickly countered with two of their own in the very same inning. Zack Powers (Florida) reached on an error to start the frame, and he was driven in by a double by Juengel. Juengel then went on to score his second of three runs on the night on a one-out hit by Justin Parr (Illinois).

The game became very interesting in the seventh inning when the Woodchucks came back to tie the game.

On the first pitch of the inning, Robbie De La Cruz (UNLV) blasted a home run to right field to cut the lead to two. Danny Susdorf (UC - San Diego) then got a one-out hit, and on a full count with two outs, All-Star Carlos Escobar (Nevada - Reno) tied the game with his sixth home run of the season.

Despite the momentum that Wisconsin seemed to have gained, the Mallards put forth a valiant effort in the eighth inning.

Madison batted around in the frame en-route to scoring five runs, started by a three-run home run by Parr. The home run was Parr's third on the season and cleared the wall behind the Wisconsin bullpen in left-center field. Jones singled following the home run, and after two batters were hit by pitches to load

the bases, Andrew Wasmund (Madison College) drew an RBI-walk, and Mike McQuillan (Iowa) grounded into an RBI fielder's choice to provide the winning margin.

Mallards' starting pitcher Nick Sutherland (Minnesota State - Mankato) had another fantastic outing in what proved to be his final appearance of the season. Sutherland threw another quality start (six innings pitched with three earned runs or fewer), his fourth in a row and fifth in his six total starts. He went six total innings, allowing one run (unearned) on four hits. He walked only one batter and had four strikeouts, lowering his earned run average to 3.88 on the season. Despite his efforts, Sutherland did not factor in the decision.

Travis Parker (St. Louis) replaced Sutherland in the seventh inning due to a high pitch count and struggled at first, allowing three runs in the inning. He came out in the eighth and threw a scoreless frame to keep the Mallards in the game, and would eventually become the game-winning pitcher. Parker, now 3-1 on the season, struck out four batters in the two total innings he pitched. Tony Bryant (Oregon State) came on in the ninth in a non-save situation to secure the victory.

Wisconsin starter Nick Greene (Rio Hondo JC) also pitched well, going six innings and allowing four runs (two unearned). The right-handed pitcher did not walk a batter and had six strikeouts.

The loss was given to reliever Jake Long (Wisconsin - Milwaukee). Long gave up four earned runs in 1.1 innings pitched and fell to 1-3 on the season.

The Mallards and Woodchucks will battle for the final time in 2011 Friday night in Madison. The finale of the three-game series will also be the Mallards' final home game of the season before heading to Battle Creek to finish the season. The win also brought the Mallards back above .500 at 16-15 on the second half and 37-29 overall.

Fan Feedback Survey The Madison Mallards need your help! Did you enjoy our in-game entertainment' Are you in love with the new stadium' Do you think our concessions offer enough variety' We want to hear what you think about the new ballpark and everything that happens at the "Duck Pond." We have created a Fan Feedback Survey to get responses from YOU! By filling out the survey you will receive a 20% off merchandise coupon and be entered into a drawing to win two 7-Game Packs for 2012, a Pete Rose autographed baseball and a $25 gift certificate.

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Northwoods League Stories from August 12, 2011


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