Northwoods Madison Mallards

Offensive Fireworks Lead Mallards Over Express

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


EAU CLAIRE, WI - July 4, 2011. The Madison Mallards defeated the Eau Claire Express 11-2 at Carson Park on Monday evening. The win puts the Mallards just one win away from clinching the Northwoods League South Division First-Half Championship. Madison has a magic number of one meaning a Mallards win or a loss by Battle Creek, Green Bay and Eau Claire will allow the Mallards to clinch the first- half championship.

Madison was able to get off to a good start on home runs by Nate Theunissen (Central Michigan) and Willie Argo (Illinois) and built on the lead thanks in-part to consistent offense and another solid outing by pitcher Rusty Shellhorn (Texas Tech).

The Mallards scored the first five runs in Monday's game. Zack Powers (Florida) scored in the first inning on a two-out error, and Theunissen launched a solo home run off tof the center field scoreboard to give Madison a 2-0 lead. The home run by Theunissen was his fifth of the season.The Mallards also scored three times in the fourth inning behind an RBI ground out by Mike McQuillan (Iowa) and a two- run double by Powers.

Eau Claire was able to get a run back in the bottom of the fourth on a double by Josh Scheffert (Nebraska). Scheffert would also score the second and final run for the Express in the eighth on an RBI ground out by Nolan Clark (Yavapai). Despite the effort by Scheffert and his fellow teammates, it was not nearly enough as the Mallards' continued their offensive onslaught.

Argo hit his third home run of the season in the sixth, producing three more runs to give the Mallards an 8-1 lead. McQuillan added an RBI triple that scored Matt Juengel (Texas A&M), and both Tyler Jones (Long Island) and Theunissen had RBI doubles to round out Madison's scoring for the night.

Earning the win for the Mallards was Shellhorn. Like he has done all season, Shellhorn (4-0) limited the Express to only three hits and allowed one unearned run in six full innings of work. He walked three but struck out nine in the win, and lowered his season ERA to 1.29, good for second-best in the Northwoods League.

Travis Parker (St. Louis) and Denny Clement (Texas A&M) combined for three innings of one-run ball in relief of Shellhorn. Clement made his 2011 Mallards' debut Monday.

Taking the loss for Eau Claire was Ryan Longstreth (Central Michigan). Longstreth (3-1) went only four innings and gave up five runs (three earned) in the process. He also walked and struck out one batter a piece.

The loss for the Express is only the team's third at home this season as they fall to 13-3 at Carson Park. They also fall to 1-6 all-time on July 4th.

The Mallards will face the Express at Carson Park in game two of the three-game set Tuesday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Nick Sutherland (Minnesota State - Mankato) will be making his first start for the Mallards after making ten relief appearances for the team.

Scoreboard Watch Besides Madison and Eau Claire, the two other teams in the hunt for the first half South Division title were also in action Monday.

Earlier in a holiday matinee, the Green Bay Bullfrogs lost to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 10-3 at Witter Field, and the Battle Creek Bombers fell to the Wisconsin Woodchucks 11-7 in Wausau.

With all three second place teams losing Monday, the Mallards move back to two games ahead in the race for the division crown with two games remaining. The Mallards now have a magic number of one to clinch. Battle Creek and Green Bay will both be eliminated from contention with losses Tuesday, even if the Mallards lose.

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 4, 2011


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