Mike Reuvekamp (California) was the one bright spot in the Mallards 10-4 defeat Saturday night at Copeland Park. (Photo by Jim Addis).
By Grant Nelson
La Crosse, WI – June 2, 2012. The Madison Mallards hit the road for the first time in the young 2012 season and found themselves missing the comforts of the “Duck Pond” as the Mallards were defeated 10-4 by the La Crosse Loggers at Copeland Park Saturday night in the Loggers home opener.
The second game in the three game weekend series looked promising early on as the Mallards managed to score one run in the top of the first, thanks to a few Logger errors and a sacrifice fly by Mallards second baseman Mike Reuvekamp (California).
The Loggers did not let their early mishaps phase them as their offense managed to score seven runs in the third and forth innings putting the game out of reach early. The Loggers starting pitcher Bo Henning (Sacramento CC) shut down the Mallards by striking out five, allowing no hits through his seven innings of work, and picking up his first win of the season.
Offensively La Crosse put together a team effort in the double-digit win over the Mallards, as seven of the nine starters contributed to the hit and runs column. Some standouts where Juliene Jones (Sacremento CC) and Tyler Servias (Princeton). Jones went 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI; Servias went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in the eighth.
The Mallards’ offense finally broke through, as Tom Lally (Central Michigan) broke up the Loggers no-hitter in the eighth inning with a one out single after Henning was replaced by Sacramento Community College teammate Dan Sayles. John Welborn (California) continued the brief run with an RBI double. Madison success continued in the ninth, as Bobby Burns (Parkland College) drove in two more runs cutting the Loggers lead to six but it was not enough.
Madison’s starting pitcher, Brandon Barker (Mercer), did not have his best stuff on the mound Saturday in his first Northwoods League appearance. Barker pitched 3.1 innings, and gave up seven runs (five earned) on eight hits, while walking two. With the loss, Barker moves to 0-1 on the season.
Mario Venturini (Miles College) came in as relief for Madison, pitching 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while striking out four.
The Mallards and Loggers meet for the final game of their three game weekend series tomorrow. The game is scheduled at 5:05 p.m. at Copeland Park.
Scoreboard Watch
Wisconsin Rapids 9, Eau Claire 6 (game played at Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids, WI)
Battle Creek 7, Lakeshore 6 (game played at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, MI)
Wisconsin 9, Green Bay 2 (game played at Joannes Stadium in Green Bay, WI)
Up-to-date standings can be viewed online at www.northwoodsleague.com.
Upcoming Promotions
Monday, June 4 (vs. Wisconsin Rapids, 7:05 p.m.)
Charter Communications Swamp People Night. Meet Bruce Mitchell from the hit TV show.
Thursday, June 7 (vs. Green Bay, 7:05 p.m.)
Iceberg Awareness Night presented by Spectrum Brands.
Friday, June 8 (vs. Green Bay, 7:05 p.m.)
Zimbrick Honda LEGO Maynard kits designed by briZwerX Studios
In-game entertainment provided by the Inflatamaniacs.
