The Mallards came up one run short against the Wisconsin Woodchucks Sunday, having rallied from four runs down in the first inning.
After stranding two runners in scoring position in the top of the first without a run, the Mallards took the field, allowing four runs to kick off the game. Bubba O’Donnell took the mound for Madison to open the game, but struggled early to retire batters. With the first three Woodchucks taking bases on a walk and two singles, Elliot Arrington drove in the first run on a groundout to second. The next batter for Wisconsin, Justin Potes, added to the damage, singling to score Vincente Cafaro and advance Nick Nordgren, who scored on the next play on a sacrifice fly from Matt Gantner. Brandon Frazier drove in the final Woodchucks run of the inning on a basehit, scoring Potes on the play.
The Mallards recorded two innings with a hit apiece, but could not gain any ground on the home team, until taking the plate in the top of the fourth. Dusty Napoleon (pictured) got things started with a single, followed by a steal during the next at-bat. With Bobby Hubbard grouding out, Napoleon was able to advance to third to ignite a Madison comeback. Russell Harben drove in the run and later scored from first on Neil Medchill’s double. Harben’s run would end the scoring for the inning, as the Mallards could not take advantage of the situation.
Following an inning and a half with no hits for either side, the Mallards used the top half of the sixth to chip away at the Woodchucks’ lead, once again, scoring one run on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch. Michael Hubbard took one for the team with Bobby Hubbard on third base, reducing the deficit to 4-3. With only one out on the board and the bases remaining loaded, Jordan Comadena grounded into a double play to end the scoring threat.
After putting a man on second and third with one out, leadoff man Steve Gerstenberger singled into right field, scoring one runner, but Travis Sweet gunned a throw to beat the second runner at the plate, and Napoleon caught Gersetnberger trying to sneak to second for a 9-2-6 double play.
With two runs to make up, Madison went to work in the top of the seventh. After Chris Roberts drew a walk as the leadoff batter, Napoleon later contributed a double, advancing Roberts to third. B. Hubbard took the second walk of the inning, loading the bases for Harben, who produced a sacrifice fly. Neil Medchill was inches away from breaking the game open on a pop-shot to left, but Gantner laid out to rob the Mallards out of at least two runs, ending the inning with the Woodchucks still in control.
The game ended with no more runs and O’Donnell (0-1) taking the loss. He finished the game allowing nine hits and five runs, all earned, in addition to four walks and strikeouts. The Mallards bullpen fared much better, as Dan Sorce and Scott Heitshusen combined for two hitless innings towards the end.
Offensively for Madison, Sweet and Napoleon, both University of Iowa players, went 3-for-5 at the dish with Napoleon scoring a run.
The Mallards remain in Wausau for the series finale Monday with the first pitch coming at 6:35 p.m. Madison fans can tune into the game online or listen in on Madison’s Sports Radio, 100.5 FM.
Great seats are still available for next weekend’s three-game homestand, beginning Friday, June 8th! Please visit mallardsbaseball.com or call 246.4277 to reserve your tickets today!
