Kenosha, Wis. – The Kingfish (17-21) stay scorching hot after taking down the Madison Mallards (28-12) for the second straight game. Their win streak is now at five thanks to Mike Madej (Northwest Florida State) hitting a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Fish past the Mallards 7-6.
For the Fish, Denson Hull (Creighton) started on the mound for the eighth time this summer. Hull went five full innings, allowing five runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out three. Garrett McGraw (Madison College) came in relief, pitching two innings and allowing one run on two hits.
The winning pitcher for the Fish was new addition Matt Hamilton (Madison College), who made his first appearance of the season Saturday night. He went two innings, holding the Mallards to no runs on one hit and also struck out one. A great start as a Kingfish for Hamilton.
The Mallards began the night with Alex Reyes (New Mexico State) and his night ended after only one inning. In the first he allowed five runs, but only one of them were earned because of two defensive errors. Reyes was followed by Andrew Baker (Florida) who pitched the next 2.2 innings, allowing no runs on two hits.
The third pitcher of the night for Madison was Brian Martinez (Connors State). Martinez went 1.1 innings allowing no runs on two hits. Tanner Rogen (Oral Roberts) was next, going two full innings and holding the Fish to one run on 2 hits, including three strikeouts.
The losing pitcher for the Mallards was Trace Norkus (North Florida) who had been untouchable until tonight. He hadn’t allowed a run all season until Mike Madej sent a ball over the right field fence in the bottom of the ninth. Norkus’ final line was 1.1 innings, allowing one run on one hit.
Offensively, Will Wagner (Liberty University) and Cade Cabbiness (Oklahoma State) jump started the Fish, both having two hits and two RBI’s. Wagner’s RBI’s came off a double in the very first inning to start the five run frame. Jack Weiller (Virginia) also had two hits including an RBI, and Scott Dubrule (Jacksonville) went 2-3 with a run scored.
The hero of the night, Mike Madej, was hitless before his walk-off blast in the bottom of the ninth to carry the Fish to victory. The homerun was Madej’s second of the year, also bringing his RBI total to 14.
This incredible second half start for the Kingfish continued Saturday night, keeping them atop of the South Division standings at 4-0. They now welcome the Kalamazoo Growlers to Historic Simmons Field, ready to take down another team near the top of the division. First pitch Sunday is set for 4:05.
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The Kenosha Kingfish are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 185 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.KingfishBaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Kingfish as your favorite team.
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