Northwoods Madison Mallards

Offense Can't Duplicate Success Vs. Battle Creek

Published on June 13, 2011 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


BATTLE CREEK, MI - June 13, 2011. After a night of success both offensively and defensively on Sunday, the Madison Mallards were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, falling to the Battle Creek Bombers 4-2 at C.O. Brown Stadium Monday night.

Madison needed a victory against the Bombers to move into sole possession of first place in the Northwoods League's South Division, but Lady Luck sided with the home team in the finale of the three-game series that was tied at one apiece heading into Monday's contest.

The Mallards once again attacked their opponent with solid pitching early on. Joel Effertz (Madison College) started for the Ducks and went 6.1 innings. He gave up two runs on only two hits, walked three and struck out six. Effertz left in the seventh after he got into a little trouble and did not factor in the decision.

"It was another quality outing by our pitchers," said Mallards' field manager Greg Labbe. "We have been getting solid pitching night-in and night-out and these guys deserve to win."

Offensively, Madison was led by a trio of hitters who had themselves a good series.

Justin Scanlon (Michigan State) went 3-4, while Justin Parr (Illinois) and Nate Theunissen (Central Michigan) added two hits each. Tyler Jones (Long Island) had the lone runs batted in for the Mallards on a hit in the fourth inning.

"We had the hits to win tonight," said Labbe. "The positive thing is that we are putting the ball in play and not striking out. We tried a few things on the bases, but we flat out didn't execute and kept Battle Creek around."

The Bombers' offense was led by Ryne Otis (Taylor University). Otis got the scoring underway Monday when hit his second home run of the season off of Effertz in the second inning. Other RBI came off the bats of Alex Robinson (Notre Dame) and Daniel Rockett (Texas-San Antonio).

Like the Mallards, Battle Creek had solid pitching; but it did not come easy for the Bombers.

The Mallards, down two at the time, loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth inning against Ryan Halstead (Indiana). Jumpy Garcia (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) came in as a pinch-hitter and struck out, and Niko Fraser (Elon) hit into a game-ending 1-2-3 double play to secure the series victory for the Bombers, who now sit 1.5 games ahead of the Mallards in the South Division standings.

"We had a great chance in the ninth," Labbe said. "Jumpy was too aggressive when he needed to slow the situation down. Give the Bombers credit for making the pitches they needed to to win."

Earning the victory for Battle Creek was Troy Forton (Western Michigan). Forton (2-1) went seven innings and allowed both runs, but also struck out five hitters and walked only one.

Scott Marinier (Central Michigan) pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Halstead came on in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

Taking the loss for the Mallards was Jerad Grundy (Heartland Community College). Grundy fell to 0-3 on the season after allowing two runs in the seventh inning. He did not record an out. Zach White (Wake Forest) finished the seventh and also pitched the eighth in relief for the Mallards.

The three-game road trip concludes for the Mallards and they will now return home to Warner Park for a two-game series against Eau Claire. Tuesday's game will begin at 7:05 p.m.

Upcoming Promotions at the "Duck Pond"

June 14th

YP.com "Barrel-O-Monkeys" Night. The first 1,000 fans will receive a barrel of monkeys courtesy of YP.com.

Teacher Appreciation Night. Teachers will receive 2-for-1 box tickets with their teacher ID.

June 15th

Madison Parks Night.

Bucky Books Night. The first 1,000 families through the gate will receive Bucky Books.

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