Wausau, WI – June 29, 2009. Wausau Woodchucks pitcher Bryce Butt (Ohio) threw a complete game five-hitter in only allowing one run Monday night to help defeat the Madison Mallards 2-1 at Athletic Field in front of 1,354 fans.
The story of the night was Butt (2-0), who allowed that lone run on a sixth inning RBI by Mallards designated hitter Joe Patterson (Texas A&M) to score shortstop Joe De Pinto (USC). His ERA now stands at 0.84 on the year.
Meanwhile Madison’s starter, Jacob Esch (Georgia Tech) picked up his first loss of the season even though he only allowed two runs, one being earned, in six innings of work. Esch also struck out seven Woodchucks. Right hander Derek Self (Louisville) relieved Esch at the beginning of the seventh frame and threw two shutout innings.
The Mallards’ offense just couldn’t muster any kind of rally on this night as the team had a total of five hits, all coming from five different players (Patterson, De Pinto, Mark Ginther (Oklahoma State), John Hicks (Virginia), and JR Graham (Santa Clara)).
They still managed to out-hit the Woodchucks 5 to 3, who tallied a two-spot in the third inning and never looked back from there. Former Mallard catcher Ben Long (UW-Milwaukee) went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Long was with the Madison team for two-consecutive 10-day contracts but later couldn’t re-join the team after an anticipated roster spot never become available.
The Mallards (18-13) now head back to the “Duck Pond” Tuesday to complete the home-and-home series against the Woodchucks. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with the first pitch coming at 7:05 p.m.
Join us Tuesday for the Thrift Painting Baseball giveaway (first 1,000 kids, 14 & under) and Budweiser T-Shirt giveaway (first 500 adults).
Click here to purchase tickets or please call us at 608.246.4277 today!
