The Madison Mallards were involved in another close game with their in-state rival, the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Sunday night however, the Mallards played well but ended up on the short end of a 2-1 score in a game played in Wausau, Wisconsin.
The Mallards received a strong pitching performance from starter Brady Endl. He went 5 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and one earned run. He was left with a no-decision for his effort though.
Madison led 1-0 in the second inning as designated hitter Charlie Babineaux singled and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch. That lead held until the sixth.
Wisconsin?s Evan Tierce led off with a double and scored on designated hitter Chris Kelly?s RBI double to tie the game at one apiece. It was Endl?s last pitch of the evening.
Mallard pitcher Brian McCann came in to escape further damage, but hurt his arm in the process and was taken out after throwing warmup pitches in the seventh. He is currently day-to-day.
The Woodchucks took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth inning against Mallard reliever J.J. Jackson. Tierce singled and came around to score on a double by second baseman Ryan Sullivan to give the Woodchucks a 2-1 victory.
Tierce had a fabulous day at the plate and in the field. Besides going 2-4 and scoring both Woodchuck runs, he made the play of the day by making a sliding catch to rob Erik Johnson of an extra base hit to end to seventh. Two Mallard runners were on base at the time, and they both no doubt would have scored.
Madison Edwards played a fine game for the Mallards. He was on base three times courtesy of two hits and a walk. He also threw out two runners at the plate from center field to end the first and eighth innings.
Aaron Bushong started for the Woodchucks and pitched an excellent game, going seven innings and allowing just one earned run. Reliever Josh Smith (1-1) recorded the win in relief for the Woodchucks, working a scoreless eighth. Steve Grasley recorded his seventh save in the ninth. J.J. Jackson (0-1) was the tough luck loser for the Mallards.
With the loss, the Mallards fell to 9-14 on the season, while the Woodchucks jumped ahead of .500 at 12-11 on the season. The Mallards leave on Monday for a two-game road series against the St. Cloud River Bats. Both games start at 7:05pm and can be heard over the internet at www.mallardsbaseball.com and on 91.7 WSUM.