Under the threat of rain all afternoon, the Madison Mallards saw a two-game winning streak come to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Alexandria Beetles. The loss dropped the Mallards record to 10-14.
The Beetles scored three times in the third inning against Madison pitcher Adam Mills (pictured left). It was all Alexandria would need. Derek VanBuskirk led off with a single. He scored after Preston Land doubled. With one out Caleb Curry singled, moving Land to third. After Curry stole second, Jermaine Curtis flew out to center field with Land scoring on the sacrifice fly. Danny Worth’s single scored Curry and gave the Beetles a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Both teams scored in the ninth. Jonathan Greene gave the Beetles a 4-0 lead with a single that scored Curtis from second base.
The lone Mallards run came in the bottom of the ninth against Alexandria reliever Matt Chambless. Gary Arndt led off the inning with a walk. After Randy Molina lined out to third, Ryan Bond singled with Arndt moving to third. Spencer Steedley then grounded out to first, allowing Arndt to reach the plate and make the final score 4-1.
Mallards pitcher Adam Mills battled the Beetles all nine innings. The UNC-Charlotte product allowed 10 hits and four earned runs. He struck out three and didn’t walk any Beetles.
The Mallards only accumulated four hits against three Alexandria pitchers. Steedley had two of the hits. Bond and Mike Rohde had the others.
The Beetles won the season series against Madison, three games to one. It’s only the second time in team history the Mallards had a losing regular season mark against the Beetles. In 2002, Alexandria won seven of eight against Madison. Last season, the Mallards won three of four.
After an off day Monday, the Mallards will travel to Thunder Bay for the final regular season meetings against the Border Cats. Eryk McConnell will start for Madison on Tuesday night. You’ll hear the games on Madison’s Fox Sports Radio, 100.5 FM. or online at www.mallardsradio.com. Pregame coverage both nights begins at 5:50 p.m. with the first pitch at 6:05.
The next Mallards home game is Thursday, June 29 against the Brainerd Blue Thunder. It’s Pepsi Baseball Glove Night. The first 1,000 fans (14 & under) will receive a free baseball glove. For tickets, call the Mallards at 608.246.4277 or go online to www.mallardsbaseball.com.
