Northwoods Madison Mallards

Sutherland Earns First Victory as Mallards Defeat Express 3-2

July 23, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


MADISON, WI - The Madison Mallards defeated the Eau Claire Express 3-2 Saturday night in front of another sellout crowd of 6,750 at the "Duck Pond" on Madison Muskies "Turn Back the Clock" night. The win was the second night in a row for the Mallards against Eau Claire, and the team is now 5-2 in seven games versus the Express this season.

The game was a tight, defensive battle all night long as pitching was in the spotlight for both teams.

Starting pitcher Nick Sutherland (Minnesota State - Mankato) had his best performance of the season for the Mallards. Sutherland (1-2) picked up his first win by throwing 102 pitches over seven innings. He allowed two runs on eight hits, walked one, and struck out five Express batters. Sutherland, usually making appearances out of the bullpen for Madison, made his third start of the season and lowered his ERA to 5.08. The Mallards are now 10-5 when he pitches.

Express starter Tony Vocca (Yavapai) was also effective in the game. He allowed three runs (only one earned) on seven in 6.2 innings. He had two walks, and like Sutherland, fanned five batters. Vocca falls to 1-3 despite his efforts.

The scoring started in the very first inning when the Express tallied one run. Leadoff hitter Ryan Shober (UIC) walked and would come around on an RBI single by Zac Fisher (New Mexico State). Eau Claire would score their only other run in the sixth inning when Josh Scheffert (Nebraska) hit a solo home run off of one of the few mistakes Sutherland made on the night. At the time, Scheffert's home run broke a 1-1 tie.

The Mallards offense finally broke through in the seventh inning. The team started with two outs after a strikeout and a fly out. Justin Parr (Illinois) hit a single, Justin Scanlon (Michigan State) reached on an error, and Mike McQuillan (Iowa) drew a walk to load the bases. All-Star slugger Nate Theunissen came to the plate and delivered yet again, this time in the form of a single that produced two RBI.The other run the Mallards scored came courtesy of a one-out single by Andrew Wasmund (Madison College) that scored Jordan Owen (Tennessee - Martin).

Theunissen's single turned out to be the game winner, as the Mallards shut the door on the Express in the eighth and ninth.

Rusty Shellhorn (Texas Tech) came on in relief of Sutherland, but could only muster an out before getting into trouble. With one out and two on base, Matt Milroy (Illinois) came in and struck out two batters in a row, both swinging. Milroy struck out the side in the ninth in order to secure save number four on the season.

The Mallards and Express will face each other one more time in the series. The Mallards will be going for the sweep Sunday, in a 5:05 p.m. start at the "Duck Pond." The game will also be the final time the Express will play in Madison this season.



Northwoods League Stories from July 23, 2011


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