The Madison Mallards found themselves in familiar territory on Wednesday night ? in the midst of a low scoring game. Unfortunately, the Ducks were on the wrong end of that score on Wednesday night. The Ducks fell 3-0 to the Wisconsin Woodchucks before 3,054 fans at Wausau?s Athletic Park. The loss dropped the Mallards second half record to 10-7 and 26-25 overall.
The Woodchucks got the scoring started in the third inning. After Billy Froehlich singled to open the inning, Chris Rutta moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt. Zach Danelson followed with what was ruled an infield single and moved to second on a throwing error by Mallards shortstop Gary Arndt that also allowed Froelich to score. The next batter, Corey Ashner, reached on a bunt single that moved Danelson to third. Danelson then scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Wilkes, making the score 2-0 in favor of the Woodchucks.
The Chucks weren?t done, posting another run in the bottom of the sixth. Daniel Descalso led off the inning with a single to right and moved up 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt by the designated hitter Steve Goins. With one out and Descalso on second, Froehlich delivered an RBI single to make the score 3-0. That would be all the Woodchucks would need as the Mallards were unable to plate a run in the contest.
The Ducks best opportunity to score came in the fifth when both Arndt and Kris Rochelle reached on singles. With two men on and nobody out, Wausau starter Owen Reid was able to get Jordan Comadena to strike out but walked the next batter Bobby Hubbard to load the bases. Unfortunately, Danny Dressman followed with a fly ball to shallow left that failed to bring Arndt home and Randy Molina grounded out to second, ending the Mallards fifth.
The Mallards will take on the Woodchucks again tomorrow in game two of the two-game set. Jake Sullivan will take the hill for Madison and Craig Brookes will go for Wisconsin (Wausua). Hear all of the action on Madison?s Fox Sports Radio 100.5 FM.
Madison returns home Friday, July 28 to take on the Rochester Honkers. Culvers brings you Dukes of Hazzard Night presented by Quench Gum. James Best, the actor who portrayed Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” will be at the game to meet fans. He’ll be joined by his dog, Flash, and the famous car from the show, the “General Lee”.
Fans will also have the chance to meet former Major Leaguer Jim “The Toy Cannon” Wynn. There will be pre- and post-game music from Pupy Costello and His Big City Honky Tonk on the Great Dane Duck Blind.
Great seats are still available. For tickets, visit www.mallardsbaseball.com, call 608.246.4277 or stop by the Duck Pond ticket office.
