The offensive struggles continued for the Madison Mallards on Thursday night as the Ducks fell to the Wisconsin Woodchucks 1-0 in Wausau. The loss dropped the Mallards to 10-8 on the second half and 26-25 overall.
The Woodchucks posted the only run of the game in the third inning versus Mallards starter Jake Sullivan. After Sullivan had retired the first six batters of the game, Chucks first baseman Chris Rutta led off the third with a single into right field. Sullivan got the next man, Billy Froehlich, to strike out but Rutta was able to move to second on a passed ball. Collin Fanning followed with a bunt single down the third base line that allowed Rutta to move to third. Rutta would later score on Corey Ashner?s one out infield single, making the score 1-0.
The Mallards best chance to score came in their half of the fifth. Kris Rochelle drew a leadoff walk but Woodchucks starter Craig Brookes struck out the next batter Jordan Comadena. With one out, Bobby Hubbard singled, moving Rochelle to second. That brought Tommy Lentz to the plate. Lentz sent a grounder to third that was fielded and thrown to second base in an attempt to force out Hubbard. Hubbard slid hard, however, and the base umpire ruled that the second baseman had juggled the ball leaving everyone safe. With one out and the bases full, Mike Rohde proceeded to strike out and the following batter, Danny Dressman, grounded out to second, ending the Mallards threat.
Ducks Starter Jake Sullivan (pictured below) worked five innings allowing just one run on four hits. He struck out two and walked two. Sullivan was another victim of the recent trend in lack of run support. The Mallards stranded 14 men on base in the loss.
The Mallards return 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.
