
Mallards Endure First Loss of Season
June 1, 2022 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release
Madison, WI - The Mallards hit the road for the first time in the 2022 Northwoods League season with a trip north to Wisconsin Rapids. The Rafters came away with a 7-6 victory in game one of the two game series against the Ducks.
Madison stayed hot in the 1st inning at the plate after 13 runners reached base in the final three frames of last night's game with Lakeshore. Jason Hodges led off the game with a walk. Christian Rivera sliced a one-out double right before Payton Smith hit a two-run line drive right past Rafters' starter Xavier Rivas (5.0 IP, 4 ER, 2 K). The first bomb of the season was curtesy of catcher Josh Caron (2-3, 3 RBI) extending the lead to 4-0 in the first frame. After the Caron homer, Rivas settled in sitting down the next nine Mallards at the dish.
Michael Finan got the ball from Donnie Scott in his first start of the season. Finan lasted three innings while allowing three hits and three earned runs. The issue today for the Mallards was a big ole' five spot in the error column on defense. Three errors in the first two innings allowed the Rafters to come right back after the explosive start at the plate.
Seth Marano (2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER) got his first chance on the hill after his season at Wayne State University. Marano (L, 0-1) did what he could to induce weak fly-ball contact. However, Rafters hitters played the game of baseball. Putting balls in places where fielders weren't. A big 6th inning brought eight Rafters to the plate scoring three runs.
The Mallards had a jolt in the top of the 8th inning when a single from Josh Caron and a fielder's choice from Javier Beal brought the game within one run against Rafters' reliever Ben Adams. After another fielder's choice and a walk from Tyler Hare (1-3, 2B, BB), shortstop Ben Rosengard got his chance. The lefty from Rice University slapped a long fly-ball to left which died down right in front of the wall. If this game would have taken place at Warner Park, Rosengard would have given the Ducks the lead. Rafters' closer Preston Howey slammed the door on the Mallards after a leadoff walk in the top of the 9th.
The Mallards make the trip back to Wisconsin Rapids tomorrow afternoon to complete the two-game series with the Rafters. Ryan O'Hara will start for the Mallards in game two. Mallard's coverage can be found on Mixlr (MadisonMallards) for the 6:05 PM CST start tomorrow.
Northwoods League Stories from June 1, 2022
- Battle Jacks Victorious in First Game of I-94 Cup - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Willmar's Comeback Falls Just Short Against Eau Claire - Willmar Stingers
- Dock Spiders Score Six in Ninth, Beat Green Bay 15-9 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Larks Fly to First Win Over Honkers - Bismarck Larks
- Larks Outduel Honkers in Pitching Showdown - Rochester Honkers
- Huskies Offense 'grand' in Home Opener - Duluth Huskies
- Rockers Fall to Fond Du Lac After Six Run Top of the Ninth - Green Bay Rockers
- Rox Continue Undefeated Start Behind Cowden's Big Eighth Inning - St. Cloud Rox
- Mallards Endure First Loss of Season - Madison Mallards
- Rats' Bats Heat Up Against Mallards - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Woodchucks Drop Series Opener to Lakeshore - Wausau Woodchucks
- Miscues Lead to Series Opening Loss against Rockford - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Woodchucks Can't Solve Spiders in Loss - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rockers Aim to Bounce Back against Dock Spiders - Green Bay Rockers
- Honkers Pitchers Falter in Loss to Stingers - Rochester Honkers
- Loggers Fall to Express in Home Opener, Losing 5-1. - La Crosse Loggers
- Kingfish Hit Around, Sweep Growlers - Kenosha Kingfish
- Rafters Ride Pitching to First Win of 2022 - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Dock Spiders Explode for 10-2 Win, Start 2-0 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Rox Open up Season 2-0 with Sweep of Bucks - St. Cloud Rox
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