
Mallards Hang on to Win 7-6
June 9, 2018 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release
Madison, Wis. - The Madison Mallards (8-3) escaped with a 7-6 victory over the Battle Creek Bombers on Friday night at the Duck Pond. While the Mallards pulled out to a 6-1 lead early on, the Bombers fought back to pull within a run in the seventh inning before the Madison bullpen shut the door to seal the win. Winners of six straight, Madison continues to sit alone atop the Northwoods League South Division.
Offensively, Madison was again powered by the tandem of Jake Randa (NW Florida State) and David Vinsky (Northwoods). Randa totaled four hits, including his league-leading seventh double, and knocked in two runs. Meanwhile, Vinsky plated three runs on four hits and also drew a walk. Overall, the pair powered the Mallards to six runs in the game's first four innings.
Turning Point
After the Bombers pushed across five runs in the top of the seventh inning to make the score 7-6, Madison could not afford to allow any more damage. Reliever Jonah Smith (Creighton) worked a scoreless eighth inning, striking out a pair, to hold the one-run advantage.
In the ninth, Mallards closer Trace Norkus (North Florida) entered to attempt to seal the victory. After walking the leadoff man, Norkus induced a fly ball and struck a man out to set up a high-leverage situation with two down and a man on third. Norkus sealed the win with a soft grounder to Max Hewitt (Oklahoma State) at third base who ranged to his left, threw, and nabbed the runner by a step at first base to record the game's final out.
Top Mallards
-Â Randa, Vinsky, and Tyler Plantier (Richmond) each extended their season-long hitting streaks. Randa and Vinsky both recorded four hits and combined for five RBI.
- Trace Norkus (North Florida) earned his fourth save this season, staying perfect in save opportunities this summer. Norkus worked out of a nobody out, man on second jam in the ninth inning to secure the Mallards win.
Quoteables
David Vinsky, on continuing his season-long hitting streak, along with Randa and Plantier...
"We try not to think about it too much. We just try to get our one hit and keep it rolling. But those guys are amazing and they set the table for everyone else."
Next Up
The Mallards host the Bombers for game two of the two-game set tomorrow night at 6:05 PM. The game features post-game fireworks presented by Budweiser and gates are scheduled to open at 4:30 PM. For tickets and more information visit mallardsbaseball.com.
Northwoods League Stories from June 9, 2018
- Bullfrogs Blanked by Growlers in Series Finale - Green Bay Rockers
- Stingers Win, Snap Skid - Willmar Stingers
- Late Inning Magic Propels the Larks - Bismarck Larks
- Team Effort Puts Dock Spiders Past Rafters 6-2 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Growlers Shutout Bullfrogs to Earn Fourth Straight Win - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Woodchucks Bounce Back against Kenosha - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rafters Fall to Dock Spiders 6-2 - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Mallards Cruise to Seventh Straight Win - Madison Mallards
- Weisenberg Lifts Rox to 2-1 Walk-Off Win - St. Cloud Rox
- Loggers Game Postponed - La Crosse Loggers
- Rox Bounce Back, Walk-Off Honkers - Rochester Honkers
- Rafters Ready for Game Two After Blowout Win Last Night - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Pitchers Dominate as Larks Shutout Eau Claire Express - Bismarck Larks
- Honkers Snap Losing Streak, Shut out Rox - Rochester Honkers
- Mallards Look for Seventh Straight Win - Madison Mallards
- Rafters Break Free from the Web Defeating Dock Spiders 11-2 - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Dock Spiders Stumble vs. Rafters - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Huskies' Small Ball Leads to Big Win - Duluth Huskies
- Willmar Falls to Duluth in Series Opener - Willmar Stingers
- Lee's 3-Run HR the Difference in 6-3 Loggers Win - La Crosse Loggers
- St. Cloud Returns Home Saturday, Gets Another Shot at Rochester - St. Cloud Rox
- Mallards Hang on to Win 7-6 - Madison Mallards
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