Northwoods Madison Mallards

Mallards fall 6-5 to Bullfrogs in a crucial game two

August 5, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


MADISON, WI - Under the Friday night lights and the ninth sell out of the season, the Madison Mallards lost a crucial game two vs. the Green Bay Bullfrogs by the score of 6-5 at Warner Park.

The Mallards nor Green Bay Bullfrogs jumped out of the gates early turning the game into a shoot out by the end. The Mallards now hold a .500 record (13-13) in the second half of the reason and are now 3.5 games back of the first place Bullfrogs in the South Division standings.

The second game in the three game series was an even chance for either team to gain or lose ground in the hunt to make the post season. Neither team came out of the gate firing, but the Mallards got the cylinders moving in the bottom of the fourth scoring two runs, one on a sacrifice bunt by Michael Handel (Minnesota) and the other on a two out triple by Justin Parr (Illinois).

These runs gave Mallards starting pitcher Nick Sutherland (University of Minnesota- Mankato) enough comfort to pitch a strong six innings for the Mallards only allowing two runs off of five hits, while striking out three. This would also be the last inning of work Bullfrogs starter Drew Bradford (San Jose State) before being replaced by Matt Roberts (UW-Whitewater) Bradford completed four innings, allowing three runs (all earned) off of four hits, managing to walk three and struck out two; both in the first inning.

Green Bay didn't go away quietly, the Bullfrogs picked up a run in the top of the 5th on a double by Nick Stein (Coe College), then continued to add on a run in the 6th with a solo home run from Paul Hoenecke (UW-Milwaukee), cutting the Mallards lead to one.

Madison would quickly rally back in the bottom on the 6th once again behind the heroics of Parr. He earned his third RBI of the night with another extra base hit scoring Matt Juengel (Texas A&M) for his second run of the night as well.

In the top of the 7th the Mallards pitching stayed strong when Eric Schmitz (UWWhitewater) came in to relief Sutherland. In his only inning of work he threw only 18 pitches and struck out the side. The fire continued to burn as the Mallards picked up another run on a successful triple steel lead by Matt Mirabal (Illinois State) in the bottom of the 7th.

Leading 5-2 after seven innings of play, the Mallards relied on their bullpen to close out the game. Denny Clement (Texas A&M) came in to start the 8th inning for the Mallards and got off to a rough start allowing the first three batters to reach base safely and a run to score before being removed from the game by Field Manager Greg Labbe. Travis Parker (St. Louis) entered the game in relief for Clement but didn't last long before Matt Milroy (Illinois) took over the duties on the mound to finish the inning. When it was all said and done Green Bay scored three runs, two earned in the 8th, all charged to Clement.

Hoenecke who went 3-5 silenced the Mallards in the top of the ninth, when he hit his second solo home run of the night and third home run in the last two games giving the Bullfrogs their first lead of the game at 6-5 and it is all that they would need, as Green Bay closer Adam Cimber (Washington) faced the minimum in the 9th, earning his 9th save of the year.

The Mallards next attempt to gain ground in the standings with a must win regular season finale between the two teams in Green Bay Saturday night at Johannes Stadium in another 7:05 p.m. start.



Northwoods League Stories from August 5, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central