In recent years playing the Madison Mallards has not faired well for the Mankato MoonDogs and Saturday night proved to be no different. The Mallards took care of business offensively early in the ballgame, collecting a season-high thirteen hits, and generating nine runs to shutdown the MoonDogs for a 9-1 victory. The Mallards have won four straight and improve to 6-3 on the year, while Mankato has lost two straight, dropping to 3-7.
In the second inning, Mankato struck first and took what would be their only lead of the two game series. Jeffery DeSmidt singled to center to start the inning and scored on a James Keithley double.
The bottom half of the third inning proved to be the difference in the ballgame as the Mallards would score five runs off Mankato starting pitcher Jason Schmidt, who would be pulled following the inning. Neil Medchill walked and scored on a Justin Bristow single to center to tie the game. Red hot Daniel Webb doubled to right scoring Bristow. With Webb on second Brian Smith hit his first home run of the season that carried over the right field wall. Travis Sweet then doubled and third baseman Mitch Saum singled to left to score Sweet. The Mallards scored five runs off of five hits, all coming with two outs in the inning.
In the fifth, Brian Smith reached first after being hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a Travis Sweet walk. Mitch Saum drove in the second of his two RBI’s with a single to score Smith. Then with the bases loaded, Brandon Wikoff hit a ball back to pitcher Will Palmer who hesitated going home and then threw to first. Travis Sweet scored and Wikoff beat out the Palmer throw.
The final blow came in the seventh inning as Justin Bristow completed a great night by crushing his second home run of the season over the left field Duck Pond wall. Bristow had two hits in five at-bats with two RBI and two runs scored.
Left-handed thrower Michael Hutts made his first start of the season going six strong innings and allowing one earn one on three hits. The sophomore out of Georgia Tech provided eight ground ball outs and struck out three. Jim Sajewich, Scott Heitshusen, and Craig Meier each threw one inning the rest of the way combining for two strike outs and one hit allowed.
The Mallards host a first place showdown with the Wisconsin Woodchucks tomorrow, Sunday, June 10th at 3:05 pm!
It will be Summit Credit Union Play More Catch with Dad Night! The first 1,000 father/child combos will receive a free baseball and the opportunity to play catch in the outfield after the game. The first 500 kids 14 and under will also receive a water bottle courtesy of Prairie Athletic! Join the Mallards and Meriter Hospital in celebrating EMS Night as local EMS staff will be on hand.
Great seats are available for both games and can be purchased and printed at mallardsbaseball.com or by calling 246.4277. We’ll see you at the Duck Pond!
