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Northwoods Madison Mallards

Mallards Prevail in Last At-Bat Wednesday

August 4, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


MADISON, WI - The Madison Mallards defeated the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 2-1 Wednesday night in front of 6,121 jubilant fans at the "Duck Pond." The game was close throughout and the Mallards were finally able to prevail in the bottom of the ninth as Zack Powers (Florida) scored the game winner.

The game had the billing of a pitcher's duel from the start, as both teams sent their aces out to the mound.

Rusty Shellhorn (Texas Tech) got the nod for the Mallards and made his first home start since losing to the Rafters June 10. He pitched six strong innings, allowing only one run on two hits and notched seven strikeouts. Shellhorn made a few mistakes in the game, allowing four walks and a home run, and did not factor in the decision. The start was arguably Shellhorn's best since July 4th when he was the winner over Eau Claire at Carson Park. He did not allow a hit until the home run he gave up in the fifth inning.

Rafters' starter Brad Douthit (USC) was equally impressive. In his fourth start of the season against the Mallards, Douthit went seven innings and gave up only one run despite scattering seven hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out six, lowering his season earned run average to a very respectable 3.18. Like Shellhorn, Douthit did not factor in Wednesday's decision.

Very little offense was on display in the contest, but all three total runs scored played a big role in game strategy and operations for both sides.

The Mallards got the scoring started in the third inning when Michael Handel (Minnesota) led of with a double and came around on a single by Mike McQuillan (Iowa).

Rapids answered in the fifth on the very first pitch of the inning by Shellhorn, as Sam Montgomery (Oregon State) belted his third home run of the season to deep left field to tie the game at one apiece.

Both teams were held in check until the ninth when the Mallards got to reliever Joie Dunyon (California - Riverside). Dunyon looked impressive and seemed to pitch around a double by Powers, but a two-out error allowed pinch-hitter Justin Parr (Illinois) to reach base and Powers to score the winning run.

The error was the second in the game for the Rafters, who also left seven men on base despite having only four hits. Madison also had an error and left eight runners stranded on eight hits.

The win went to Mallards' reliever Matt Milroy (Illinois). Milroy (2-1) came on for a struggling Dan Tobik (Tennessee - Martin) in the eighth and got four outs on ten pitches. He struck out two in the ninth to get the Mallards into a winning situation and lowered his season ERA to 2.66.

Dunyon took the loss despite the unearned run in the ninth and is now 2-3 out of the bullpen.

With the win, the Mallards not only split the home-and-home series with the Rafters, but took the season series as well, winning six out of the ten games played against Wisconsin Rapids this season. They will welcome the Green Bay Bullfrogs to the "Duck Pond" Thursday to start a pivotal three-game set at 7:05 p.m. that is sure to have major playoff implications. Green Bay will look to continue their hot play after sweeping a double-header against Wisconsin that propelled them into first place in the South Division.



Northwoods League Stories from August 4, 2011


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