The Green Bay Bullfrogs continued their league-leading 12th-straight win Thursday in a come from behind, 8-5 win over the Madison Mallards, who fell to third in the NWL South Division after sinking under .500 once again.
Early in the game, the Mallards soared to a four-run lead, following Jordan Comadena’s and Evan LeBlanc’s leadoff single and double, respectively, to start the second inning. Randy Molina knocked in Comadena on a groundout, which moved LeBlanc to third. With two outs against Madison, Matt Behren stepped in to produce an RBI-single and moved to second during the next at-bat on a wild pitch. The next two batters loaded the bases, as Brandon Wikoff walked and Russell Harben beat the throw on a fielder’s choice. Bobby Hubbard then delivered a clutch two-out single to score Behren and Wikoff for the last two runs of the inning. Three of the four runs in the inning crossed with two outs on the board.
Unfortunately for the Mallards, Green Bay’s momentum from winning 11 games kicked in soon thereafter, as the Bullfrogs rallied over the next three innings to drive in six unanswered runs, including a three-run go-ahead bomb from Sean Dovel (3) in the fourth. The home run was the Bullfrogs fifth-consecutive run and acted as the momentum shifter for the rest of the game.
After tallying another run in the fifth on reliever Jim Sajewich, who replaced Michael Hutts in the same inning, the Mallards had one last chance to overcome the first-place Bullfrogs, following Madison’s lone run in the sixth.
In the top of the seventh frame, Matt Van Den Heuvel came in for starting pitcher Lance Abbott, and the Mallards were able to load the bases with Hubbard, Neil Medchill and LeBlanc all reaching with only one out against them, However, with LeBlanc intentionally walked, Randy Molina’s slap hit allowed the Bullfrogs to come out of the inning unscathed with a 1-2-3 double play.
Hutts (1-2) took the loss, pitching four innings, allowing nine hits and five runs. Offensively, LeBlanc led Madison, batting 3-for-3 (three hits, two runs, one intentional walk).
The teams will play the rubber match Friday in Green Bay at 7:05 p.m. Mallards fans can catch the game live on Madison Sports Radio, 100.5 FM.
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Madison returns home Saturday in another two-game series against Waterloo. Saturday is Culver’s Dukes of Hazzard Night with Sonny Shroyer (Enos) making an appearance. Live honky tonk with Pupy Costello. Luxaire and Make-A-Wish Foundation Soft Baseballs to the first 750 kids 14 & under. Post-game fireworks show, presented by Life Style Staffing.
