Madison native Ryan Zink was nearly un-hittable Friday night in St. Cloud. Unfortunately, it was a lead-off walk in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference in the game.
Jon Schemmel scored the game?s only run on Josh Land?s sacrifice fly to deep right field.
For Zink, the night was bittersweet. In his first game pitching for his hometown team, the LaFollette grad surrendered only two hits, yet it was the one walk he issued that cost him. Zink (0-1) was magnificent however, striking out nine batters in eight innings of work.
The Mallards had chances to put runs on the scoreboard. The team left five runners on base and catcher Nate Trumm was thrown out at the plate on a strike from right fielder Nick Mahin.
The Mallards (0-3) who are in the midst of a six game road trip to start the season, try to salvage a series split against the St. Cloud River Bats tonight.
Tickets for all home games are currently available and can be purchased online, www.mallardsbaseball.com, by phone (608) 246-4277, or by stopping in our brand new office still located at 2920 N. Sherman Ave.