Northwoods Madison Mallards

Woodchucks Beat Mallards Late

June 27, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Madison Mallards News Release


WAUSAU, WI - June 27, 2011. The Madison Mallards could not find their groove on Monday, as they fell to the Wisconsin Woodchucks 9-4 in front of 1,392 fans at Athletic Park.

The Woodchucks got the scoring started early, jumping out to a 1-0 lead on Mallards' starter Rusty Shellhorn (Texas Tech). Carlos Escobar (Nevada - Reno) drove the run in on a two-out double, scoring Danny Susdorf (UC - San Diego).

The Mallards would answer right away in the second as Willie Argo (Illinois) scored on a single by Tyler Jones (Long Island).

Wisconsin countered with one run in both the third and fifth innings, taking a 3-1 lead that would hold true until the seventh.

Jordan Owen (Tennessee - Martin) continued his hot first half at the plate by hitting a lead-off home run, his fourth of the season, to cut the deficit to two. The one RBI also increased his team-leading total to sixteen. Two more runs would score for the Mallards as Andrew Barna (Davidson) hit a sacrifice fly that scored Jones, and Nate Theunissen (Central Michigan) came across on an error to give the Ducks their first lead of the game at 4-3.

Momentum shifted and the game broke open in the bottom of the seventh, when Wisconsin took matters into their own hands.

Shellhorn was lifted in favor of Dan Tobik (Tennessee - Martin), and the Woodchucks would take advantage of the change, as Mike Gerber (Creighton) doubled in Seth Batty (UC - Davis) to tie the game. Gerber would later score on a wild pitch to give Wisconsin the lead right back.

The bottom of the eighth was also troubling for the Mallards. Tobik began the inning and was replaced by Travis Parker (St. Louis) once he got into trouble. When all was said and done, Wisconsin had scored four runs in the inning, two runs coming courtesy of both Susdorf and Gerber.

The Mallards threatened in the ninth, loading the bases, until Justin Scanlon (Michigan State) flew out to end the game. Scanlon was 0-for-5 and ended his 14-game hitting streak in the process.

Tobik took the loss for Madison, falling to 1-1 on the season. Overall, Tobik worked one inning plus, and gave up three runs on two hits. He walked two and struck two men out.

Shellhorn had yet another quality start for Madison. He pitched six innings and allowed three total runs, with one run being unearned. He walked four and struck out five. With the no decision, Shellhorn stays at 3-0 with a 1.55 ERA on the season.

The winning pitcher for Wisconsin was Ryan Iverson (Wisconsin - Stevens Point). Iverson pitched 2.1 innings in relief of starter Tyler Nurdin (Temple College) and did not allow a run while striking out four Mallards' hitters.

The loss brings the Mallards to 16-9 on the season. Coming into Monday's game, the team was tied with the Eau Claire Express for the lead in the South Division of the Northwoods League. With Eau Claire's off day, the Mallards now fall one-half game behind the Express for first place.

Both the Mallards and the Woodchucks will head to Madison for a double-header Tuesday at the "Duck Pond." The double-dip is part of a make-up of the postponed game from June 8th. Game one will start at 5:05 p.m., and game two will begin about thirty minutes after the conclusion of game one. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m., and the Duck Blind will open at 5:05 p.m. Each game will be seven innings in length

Upcoming Promotions at the "Duck Pond"

Tuesday, June 28th (Double-header vs. Wisconsin, 5:05 p.m.)

St. Mary's Nurse Appreciation Night. All area registered RN's or LPN's receive 2-for-1 field box tickets with a valid employer I.D. badge.

Wednesday, June 29th (vs. Green Bay, 7:05 p.m.)

Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison Cash Craze Night (1,000A). 1,000 fans (21+) will receive an envelope containing anywhere from $1 to $100.

Meet WWE Hall of Fame legend "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Drive.

Thursday, June 30th (vs. Green Bay, 7:05 p.m.)

Wiener Appreciation Night.

Dr. Jay Hazen Dentistry For Madison Vintage Bobble Boy Night (1,000M).

Group Health Cooperative Can Coozie Night (500A).

St. Mary's Sun Prairie Emergency Center Community Night. Receive 2-for-1 field box tickets with proof of residency in DeForest & Windsor (day of game--in-person only).

Free shuttle from and back to The Brass Ring (downtown)! Bus will leave at 6:30 p.m.

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.

Saturday, July 2nd (vs. Battle Creek, 5:05 p.m.)

Rhythm & Booms Night.

The Diamond Center Date Night at the Duck Pond: 50 dating couples will receive two free Great Dane Duck Blind passes courtesy of The Diamond Center. To register to win, visit The Diamond Center in Madison or Janesville.

Post-fireworks movie on the Pepsi Max Video Board.

Sunday, July 3rd (vs. Battle Creek, 5:05 p.m.)

Jani-King Plunger Night (500M).

Dog day at the ballpark, all four-legged canine friends are welcome.

Military Appreciation Night.



Northwoods League Stories from June 27, 2011


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