Northwoods Madison Mallards

Rally Comes up Short as Mallards Fall to Bombers 7-4

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


MADISON, WI - July 3, 2011.The Madison Mallards lost to the Battle Creek Bombers 7-4 in front of 5,751 fans at the "Duck Pond" Sunday evening. The Mallards trailed by as many as five runs in the game and put a nice rally together late in the game, but the strong pitching of Battle Creek prevailed in the end. Despite the loss, the Mallards still lead the South Division by one game over Battle Creek, Eau Claire, and Green Bay, all of whom won Sunday.

The game had a back-and-forth flow from the get-go as the Bombers scored first in the second inning as Brett Wiley (Evansville) scored after hitting a lead-off double.

Madison struck back with a run of their own in the fourth inning when Matt Juengel (Texas A&M) lined his first home run of the season over the left field fence.

From the fifth inning on, Battle Creek would take control of the game.

The Bombers took advantage of some defensive miscues and Wiley scored his second run of the night to give Battle Creek a 2-1 lead. Jordan Dean (Central Michigan) scored in the seventh, and Matt Hitt (Eastern Michigan) lived up to his name as he smacked a three-run home run into the Great Dane Duck Blind to put the game out of reach in the eighth.

Battle Creek would tack on one more run for good measure in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Daniel Rockett (Texas - San Antonio).

Going into the bottom of the ninth, the Mallards trailed 7-2, and looked as if they would put a valiant effort forward to take the game to extra innings for the second night in a row.

Jordan Owen (Tennessee - Martin) and Mike McQuillan (Iowa) both scored and Justin Scanlon (Michigan State) also reached base safely before a groundout by pinch-hitter Nate Theunissen (Central Michgan) and a fly out by Trey Watkins (LSU) put the game at bay.

Alex Loftin (Akron) picked up the win for Battle Creek. He pitched seven strong innings of one-run ball and scattered seven hits. Loftin (1-0) walked no batters and struck out three, earning his first victory of the season.

After Bombers' reliever Alex Tukey (Minnesota) allowed the Mallards to get a rally started in the ninth, Ryan Halstead (Indiana) came in and stopped the bleeding, earning his third save of the season.

Tom Windle (Minnesota) took the loss for Madison, despite allowing no earned runs. The two runs that came across to score during Windle's two innings came as a result of defensive mistakes. Even with the added pressure of trying to allow no runs to his own fault, Windle (1-2) was impressive, giving up only one hit and striking out four.

Mallards' starter Parker Schrage (Madison College) looked good as well in his first start as a member of the team. He threw five complete innings, giving up only one earned run on three hits. Dan Tobik (Tennessee - Martin) also made an appearance for the Mallards.

Sunday was the final game of a brief two-game series between the two divisional foes at the "Duck Pond." Battle Creek will move on to face Wisconsin in their final series of the first half, and the Mallards begin a three-game set of their own against Eau Claire on Monday at Carson Park. First pitch for the pivotal game in Eau Claire is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

Scoreboard Watch As the first half of the 2011 Northwoods League season begins to wrap up, the division race has just begun.

Coming into Sunday's games, the Mallards held a two-game lead over Battle Creek, Eau Claire, and Green Bay. All three teams won their respective games, and with the Mallards' loss, the division lead shrinks to one game with three left to play for all four teams.

The Express and the Mallards will face each other in a very decisive series, and the Bombers will play in Wausau against the Woodchucks, and Bullfrogs will round out their first half at 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 4, 2011


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