May 30, 2012- Madison, WI. Behind a dominant 13 strikeout effort by starting pitcher Alec Mills (Tennessee-Martin) and some shrewd base running by Tyler Marincov (North Florida) the Mallards opened the season with a 6-5 win over the Battle Creek Bombers. The win in front of 5,654 Mallards fans at the “Duck Pond” got the team in the win column and on the right track to start the year.
The Bombers got off to a hot start in the first inning with base hits by shortstop Dylan Delaney (Michigan) and third baseman Turner Gill (Portland). The Bombers were able to cash in a run off a sacrifice fly to right field by Jeremy Shay (Bowling Green).
The Mallards evened the score in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI groundout by Marincov.
The game remained deadlocked at one until the fourth when the Mallards were able to break the tie with a clutch two out, three RBI double by designated hitter Jeff Zimmerman (Northern Illinois).
The Bombers answered back in the top of the fifth with an RBI double by second baseman Dan Walsh (Miami-Ohio) to make the score 4-2.
A home run by Marincov in the bottom of the sixth pushed the Mallards lead to 5-2.
Mills was pulled after the seventh inning, giving up two runs, four hits and recording 13 strikeouts on 90 pitches in his first start of the season.
The Mallards were unable to hold onto the lead as the Bombers scored three runs off of four hits in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game at five.
After Marincov drew a walk from Bomber reliever Alex Tukey (Minnesota) to start the bottom of the eighth, he was able to get in scoring position by stealing second. On an attempt to steal third Marincov was able to force a throwing error from Bomber catcher Michael Gruber (Nebraska-Omaha) and was able to score the eventual game winning run on the play.
Mallards left-handed reliever John Hamilton (UNC-Charlotte) was able to lock things down and close out the game by striking out the side in the top of the ninth for his first save of the season.
Will Lamarche (Chabot College) earned the win tonight for the Mallards after pitching 1.0 inning of relief. Tukey took the loss for the Bombers, as his only walk issued in his 1.0 inning of relief in the eighth became the winning run.
In total the Mallards pitching staff recorded 19 strikeouts on the night, keeping the Bombers lineup off balance and guessing throughout the game.
The loss tonight marks the end of the Bombers 13 game win streak dating back to last seasons run to the Northwoods League title. The two teams will wrap up their two game series tomorrow at the “Duck Pond,” first pitch is schedule for 7:05 pm.
The 2012 season is upon us! Single-game tickets are on-sale for all Mallards home games!
The Mallards will host the Battle Creek Bombers tomorrow, May 31st at 7:05 pm at the “Duck Pond.” Fans take advantage of the team’s opening series special for the May 31st game, for $20 will receive two field box tickets, two hot dogs, and two sodas. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 608-316-DUCK, or in-person at the “Duck Pond” ticket office.
The Madison Mallards are part of the 16-team Northwoods League. The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.
