Northwoods Madison Mallards

Mallards Fall in Season Finale 3-2

August 14, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


BATTLE CREEK, MI - August 14, 2011. The Madison Mallards dropped their season-finale 3-2 to the Battle Creek Bombers at C.O. Brown Stadium in Michigan Sunday. The Mallards end the season with a record of 16-18 for the second half and 37-32 overall.

The game appeared as though it was going to be a slugfest, with both teams scoring two runs in the first inning, but pitching would take hold of the spotlight as Battle Creek would be the team to tally only one additional run to secure the victory.

After two walks and a wild pitch to start the game, the Mallards had two runners in scoring position early, and Jordan Owen (Tennessee - Martin) drove in both runners with a two-out hit to give the Mallards a 2-0 lead. Justin Parr (Illinois) and Zack Powers (Florida) were the two men on base to come across to score.

Battle Creek answered in the very next half inning. The first three batters were walked by Mallards' starting pitcher Jonathon Crawford (Florida) to load the bases with no outs. Daniel Rockett (Texas - San Antonio) then proceeded to drive in Dan Dispensa (Western Illinois) with a sacrifice fly, and Brett Wiley (Jefferson College) scored on a two-out single by Jimmy Martinez (Western Michigan) to tie the game at 2-2.

Unfortunately for the Mallards, the offense could not produce any more runs and the score would remain tied until the bottom of the seventh when Battle Creek pushed the game-winning run home on a sacrifice fly by Troy White (Northern Illinois).

The Mallards actually out-hit Battle Creek 6-5 Sunday, led by Willie Argo (Illinois) and Owen, who both had two hits. Powers and Andrew Barna (Davidson) tallied the other two hits for Madison.

The win went to Battle Creek's Brian McCabe (Clarke University), who pitched the final three innings in relief for the Bombers, giving up no runs and no hits. McCabe finished the season with a 2-0 record and a 1.42 earned run average.

Matt Milroy (Illinois) took the loss for the Mallards and fell to 2-3 on the season.

The Bombers will now get set to play in the postseason for the first time in team history The Bombers won both the second half and first half of the season and will have home-field advantage in the divisional round of the playoffs against Green Bay. The Bullfrogs get into the playoffs by having the best overall record amongst the remaining seven teams in the South Division.

Second half champion Alexandria will play Mankato in the divisional round of the North Division playoffs. Both series start Monday.

Following Sunday's season-ending game, the Mallards will return to the "Duck Pond" for the final time to gather their belongings and head back to their respective schools to begin training for the upcoming spring seasons.

Shellhorn, Theunissen named Postseason All-Stars The Northwoods League released its annual list of Postseason All-Stars Saturday, and two Mallards were named to the list. Pitcher Rusty Shellhorn and infielder/designated hitter Nate Theunissen were both tabbed with the postseason honor after stellar seasons.

Shellhorn was recognized as a postseason All-Star for the second time in as many years with the Mallards and was the only player on the list to be named to his second postseason All-Star roster. He went 5-2 this season with a 2.30 earned run average in 14 appearances.

Theunissen made the list after appearing in 48 games with the Mallards this season. Overall, he hit .325 in 169 at-bats and tied a Madison single-season record by hitting nine home runs. Theunissen also had 31 RBI on the season.



Northwoods League Stories from August 14, 2011


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