Latest News

Published On: June 24th, 2022

Gabe Sotres takes a leadoff after a triple down the right field line. (Article and photo by Brendan Nordstrom)

MADISON, WI – In the first inter-divisional matchup in the team’s history, the Battle Creek Battle Jacks (13-11) defeated the Madison Mallards (11-14) by a score of 10-4 in front of a packed 6,314-person crowd. 

The contest began as a pitcher’s duel as Battle Jacks RHP Garrett Martin only saw seven batters in the first two innings allowing no hits and a walk. Mallards LHP Justin Miller only saw six batters in his first two innings of work.

After the first two innings, the game quickly turned into a hit fest. Battle Creek’s Robbie Merced walked and second baseman James Canar singled to set up runners at the corners. Bobby Nichols grounded out, but was able to plate a run with a sac hit. Battle Jacks batting average leader Patrick Mills hit an RBI single of his own to plate another to take an early 2-0 lead.

Madison immediately answered in the bottom of the third as a leadoff reach on error set up Mallard’s Max Williams for an RBI-single. With runners at first and second, the Mallards were not finished as first baseman Payton Smith sent a rocket 3-run home run over the Budweiser porch in left field giving the home team a 4-2 advantage.

This would be all the Mallards could muster as Battle Jacks RHP Caleb Lanoux, LHP Gavin Knust, and RHP Anthony Tejeda held Madison scoreless in the final 5.2 innings.

The hits kept on coming as BC’s Joey Grabanski led off the fourth with a laser home run over the left-center wall, his second of the season. Merced reached on an error as catcher Gabe Sotres hit an RBI triple down the right field line. With two ducks on the pond, Patrick Mills, who leads the Northwoods League in doubles, hit another into the right field alley to cross two more to give the Battle Jacks a 6-4 lead.

In the top of the sixth, James Canar reached on an infield single and would come around to score as Billy Hancock singled into center field. 

The Battle Jacks tacked on three more insurance runs in the top of the ninth as Canar and Bobby Nichols singled and Mills walked to set up a base clearing double by Billy Hancock and a commanding 10-4 lead. 

Tejeda shut the door and the Battle Jacks snapped a three-game losing streak, improving to 8-3 on the road.

Standouts at the plate include a 2/4 day with 3 RBIs for Patrick Mills, a 2/4 night with 4 RBIs for Billy Hancock, a 2/4 day with a homerun for Joey Grabanski, and a 3/3 night for James Canar.

The Battle Jacks will return to action back at the Duck Pond tomorrow at 7:35 EST for the final game in the quick two-game series versus the Mallards.