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Northwoods Madison Mallards

Owen powers Mallards past Rafters

June 18, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


MADISON, WI - The Madison Mallards knocked off the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 7-5 in front of 6,566 happy fans at the "Duck Pond" Saturday night.

The Mallards snapped a two-game losing streak and seem to be back on track after one of the more exciting games of the 2011 season. The story of the night was written by Jordan Owen (Tennessee - Martin). Owen came into Saturday's game quietly hitting over .300, but two big cracks off his bat have gained the attention of the Mallards faithful.

Owen belted two, two-run home runs to almost the identical spot in centerfield, his first two of the season. Ironically, those home runs were the only two hits by the Mallards through the first five innings, but they kept the team in the game.

Rapids got off to a good start in the middle stages of the game. After Owen hit his first home run in the second inning to give Madison a 2-0 lead, the Rafters countered with two runs of their own in the third off RBI hits by Cody Koback (Wisconsin - Stevens Point) and Brandon Hohl (Illinois). The team would again score three times in the fourth, with the most notable run coming off of a solo shot by Josh Cyr (North Alabama).

Then it was Owen's turn again.

Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth, Travis Parker (St. Louis) was hit by a pitch for the second time in as many at-bats to set the stage for Owen. On the fourth pitch of his at-bat, Owen hit his second round-tripper of the night, driving in two more runs to bring the Ducks within one.

"Home runs change ballgames," said Mallards' field manager Greg Labbe. "Jordan carried our team tonight, but sometimes that has to happen to get a team out of an offensive slump."

No scoring took place again until the seventh inning, when Jumpy Garcia (Texas A&M - Corpus Christi) led off with a double. Newly-activated Mallards speedster Trey Watkins (LSU) came in to pinch-run and would later score on an RBI single by Justin Scanlon (Michigan State).

With the hit, Scanlon extended his hitting streak to eleven games. Two more runs were scored by the Mallards after a wild pitch and an error occurred for the Rafters.

Earning the win for Madison Saturday was Dan Tobik (Tennessee - Martin). Tobik came on in the seventh inning after starter Tom Windle (Minnesota) and middle reliever Nick Sutherland (Minnesota State - Mankato) were lifted. Tobik (1-0) went two strong innings, allowed no runs on no hits, walked one, and struck out four. Matt Milroy (Illinois) pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save.

"Our bullpen picked Tom up tonight," Labbe said. "Whenever relievers go five innings without allowing a single run, you know you have a great chance to win."

Windle ended up going four innings in his third start of the season. He was lifted after giving up five runs on seven hits, but he also had a high pitch count, throwing 86 pitches; 53 of which were strikes.

Rapids' starter Brad Douthit (USC), like Windle, did not factor into the decision. Douthit made it through three and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs on only two hits. Coincidentally, the hits were both home runs hit by Owen.

Taking the loss for the Rafters was Joie Dunyon (California - Riverside). Dunyon (0-1) pitched two innings and gave up two runs, although both were unearned. Jacob Doyle (Arizona) also pitched for Wisconsin Rapids.

"Tonight was a great win overall," said Labbe. "Championship teams need to learn how to play from behind and rise up to make things happen. We got our fight back tonight after not having it for the last five or so. It was a critical night and we pulled through."

The same two teams will square off again Sunday at the "Duck Pond," with the first pitch coming at 3:05 p.m. Rapids will try to avoid being swept by the Mallards for the second time this season.



Northwoods League Stories from June 18, 2011


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