For the first time in nearly two weeks, the Mallards are enjoying a two-game winning streak. Saturday night, Madison knocked off the visiting Alexandria Beetles, 3-2.
Lefty Jake Sullivan won his second game of the year for Madison. In 6.1 innings, Sullivan allowed an unearned run on three hits. He walked three and struck out three. Mike Creevy pitched 1.2 innings. Brett Scarpetta gave up a homerun, but managed to hang on in the ninth to garner his third save.
The run against Sullivan came in the first. The league’s leading hitter, Caleb Curry, hit a slow grounder that was bobbled by Mallards third baseman Mike Rohde. On a groundout by Danny Worth, Curry was able to advance to third. Curry then scored on Mike Metzger’s double.
Madison tied the score in the fourth inning. Bobby Huibbard singled. With one out, Randy Molina singled. Hubbard moved to third when the throw from the center fielder went wide of second base. Ryan Bond then put down a squeeze bunt (below right). The throw home to get Hubbard was late as Hubbard slid across the plate with Madison’s first run.
Madison grabbed the lead in the fifth. With one out, Rohde singled. He then stole second. After Joe Oliver lined out to first, Jordan Comadena singled, moving Rohde to third. Hubbard followed with a RBI single scoring Rohde to make the score 2-1.
Madison added an insurance run in the eighth. Molina doubled and was bunted to third by Bond. After Spencer Steedley walked, Mitch Saum hit a sacrifice fly to score Molina and give the Mallards a two-run cushion. Madison would need it as Tim Stewart, the 2004 Northwoods League batting champ, hit a leadoff homer to left against Mallards closer Brett Scarpetta. Scarpetta was able to get the next batter to fly out and then he struck out the next two to preserve a 3-2 Madison victory.
Hubbard had three of the Mallards eight hits. Molina added a pair for Madison, which improved to 10-13 for the season. It was the first time the Mallards defeated the Beetles in three attempts this season.
Prior to the game, the Duck Pond held its first ever wedding. John Zaring, Sr. and Katie Stahoviak tied the knot on the pitchers mound, making them the first ever Mallards couple (below left).
After the game, fans were entertained by the Life Style Staffing Fireworks (above left). It was the third show in a series of seven this summer.
The Mallards and Beetles meet at the Duck Pond again Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m. Hall-of-famer Robin Roberts will be signing autographs before and during the game. It’s American Family Mini Bat Day. The first 1,000 fans 14 and under will receive a free mini bat. The first 1,000 fans 21 and older will receive the third in a series of five Mallards pint glasses from Budweiser. Every Sunday is a Famous Footwear Kids-Eat-Free Sunday. Kids ages 14 and under receive a free hot dog, soda and popcorn with a full-priced ticket courtesy of Famous Footwear. Also, every Sunday, seniors receive half-price admission courtesy of St. Mary’s. There are still tickets remaining. Call the Mallards at 246.4277 or go online to www.mallardsbaseball.com.
