The Madison Mallards bats could keep anybody?s beverage cool for awhile. Friday, Madison stayed ice cold, recording just three hits against the Northwoods League?s South Division-leading Rochester Honkers at Warner Park in a 3-1 loss. It was the team?s third straight defeat.
In the Ducks last eleven games, Madison is hitting .187 as a team and has scored just 18 runs.
Friday, Rochester struck in the first inning against the Ducks. Jason White led off with a single and then stole second. He scored on a one-out single by Jeff Engel to give the Honkers a 1-0 lead.
The Mallards tied the score in the fourth in nearly the same fashion as the Honkers on the first run of the game. Mike Rohde (pictured below) singled and stole second. With one out, he moved to third on a wild pitch. He then scored on a Bobby Hubbard (top left) sacrifice fly to left to tie the game at one.
The Honkers grabbed control in the top of the seventh when Kyle Bowley singled to lead off the frame against Adam Mills. Kevin Drever?s one-out single moved Bowley to third. Bowley was cut down at home on a fielder?s choice grounder by White, who moved to second on the play with Drever advancing to third. With two outs, Dan Lyons? single plated Drever and White and gave the Honkers all the club would need.
Mills took the loss for the Ducks. Mills pitched 6.2 innings and allowed eight hits. All three runs were earned. He struck out four and walked one. Adam Tollefson and Allan Donato combined for 2.1 innings of hitless relief.
Rochester?s Adam Jorgenson earned the victory. Jake Toohey picked up his NWL-Best 19th save.
Despite the loss, fans were entertained in the pre and post game by Pupy Costello and his Big City Honky Tonk. It was also Dukes of Hazzard Night, presented by Culvers, as James Best, the actor who portrayed Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard, signed autographs and performed a ?Dukes? themed skit. Former major leaguer Jim Wynn was also in attendance to meet Mallards fans.
The Mallards and Honkers meet again Saturday night at Warner Park. Casey Baron will start for Madison against Rochester?s Matthew Reynolds. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Saturday is Pedro?s Fiesta Hispana Night at the Duck Pond. The first 500 fans will receive Mallards sombreros. Also, the first 2,500 fans will receive American Family insurance Mini Fiesta Bobbleheads.
Stick around after the game for the LifeStyle Staffing Fireworks Show.
Great seats are available at the Mallards ticket office, by calling 608.246.4277 or online at www.mallardsbaseball.com.
