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Northwoods Madison Mallards

Missed Opportunities Cost Mallards Game at Express, First-Half Title

July 6, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


EAU CLAIRE, WI - July 6, 2011.The Madison Mallards were defeated by the Eau Claire Express 7-5 Wednesday at Carson Park. The loss officially knocks the Mallards out of first-half title contention in the South Division.

The Mallards were unable to overcome defensive miscues and could not cash in on their offensive opportunities and the Express prevailed in the end.

Things got off to a good start for the Mallards in the first as Niko Fraser (Elon) led off the game with a double. He would come around to score on an RBI ground out by Matt Juengel (Texas A&M).

The Express countered in the first with two runs of their own, as Ty Forney (New Mexico State) and Ryan Shober (UIC) each scored a run to give Eau Claire a 2-1 lead.

After a scoreless second inning, the Mallards showed that they would not go down easy. Fraser and Juengel would give the Mallards the lead in the top of the third by scoring runs on a Jordan Owen (Tennessee - Martin) single and a Willie Argo (Illinois) ground out.

However, Eau Claire would take advantage of two three-base errors by the Mallards in the fourth inning and scored two runs to regain the lead. The Express would also score three runs in the fifth inning, with one scoring on a wild pitch and another scoring on an error.

Madison, trailing 7-3, would score two more times in the game. Tyler Jones (Long Island) scored in the sixth on a stolen base and Andrew Barna (Davidson) scored on a single by Mike McQuillan (Iowa) in the eighth. The Mallards looked to make a prime run at a comeback in the eighth as the bases were loaded with two outs, but Justin Parr (Illinois) was thrown out at the plate on McQuillan's hit.

The Mallards had a leadoff hitter reach base in the form of Juengel in the ninth before Eau Claire was finally able to shut the door on the team's hopes of making their first postseason appearance since 2008.

Logan Ehlers (Nebraska) picked up the win for Eau Claire after going 5.2 innings. He allowed four runs (three earned) in the win and also notched six strikeouts. Ehlers moves to 1-0 on the season, helping the Express to a second-place finish in the division.

Miguel Silva (Yavapai) pitched two innings in relief to earn his fifth game of the season.

Madison starter Chris Lamb (Davidson) suffers the loss. Lamb had a rough start, allowing seven runs (five earned) in the five innings he pitched. He could not seem to find his groove, also allowing ten hits in his first loss of the season.

Estevan Uriegas (Texas A&M) and Tony Bryant (Oregon State) also saw action on the mound in the loss.

The Mallards end the first half of the season with a 21-14 record, good for third in the division. Battle Creek won the division with a victory over Wisconsin Wednesday. The Bombers and Express finished the first half with identical 20-13 records, but the Bombers take the title due to the head-to-head advantage over the Express. The Mallards lost out of first place due to smaller winning percentage compared to Battle Creek and Eau Claire, despite being no games back.

The Mallards will begin the second half of the season Thursday night in Green Bay as they will face the Bullfrogs at Joannes Stadium. Game one of the two-game set is scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m.

Following the series with Green Bay, the Mallards will return to te "Duck Pond" for a two-game series against Wisconsin Rapids.

Upcoming Promotions at the "Duck Pond"

Saturday, July 9th (vs. Wisconsin Rapids, 6:05 p.m.)

Schoep's Ice Cream, Ice Cream Scoop Night (First 1,000 fans).

Stress Taxi Night presented by Union Cab (First 500 fans, Great Dane Duck Blind only).

Gold'n Plump Chicken Night.

TDS Post-Game Fireworks.

Free shuttle from and back to Claddagh Irish Pub (Middleton)! Bus will leave at 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 10th (vs. Wisconsin Rapids, 5:05 p.m.)

Charter Communications Tailgating Maynard Bobblehead (First 1,000 fans).

St. Mary's GoldenCare Grandparent Appreciation Night. 2-for-1 tickets for seniors 60+. Pre-game ceremony on-field for all grandparents with their grandchildren.

Gold'n Plump Chicken Night.

The Madison Mallards are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. Great seats remain for all games! Fans can purchase tickets one of three ways: 1) online, 2) over the phone by calling the ticket office at 608.316.DUCK (3825), or 3) in-person at the "Duck Pond." Group tickets, including hospitality areas perfect for company outings are on sale as well.



Northwoods League Stories from July 6, 2011


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