Madison, WI – June 4, 2012. A triple by second baseman Pat Kelly (Nebraska) followed by an error by Mallards center fielder Tom Lally (Central Michigan) allowed Kelly to score the winning run in the eleventh inning and give the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (3-3) a 4-3 win over the Madison Mallards (3-3). A total of 15 runners left on base and five errors by the Mallards squandered away a chance for the win.

The Rafters got on the board first, scoring in the third inning off of an RBI single up the middle by first baseman Joshua Cyr (North Alabama). The hit barely got by the diving Lally and allowed Rafter left fielder Austin Neary (Western Carolina) to score.

In the bottom haf of the inning the Mallards answered back with an RBI single of their own by right fielder Tyler Marincov (North Florida). After working an eight pitch at-bat Marincov was able a ball to left field to score catcher Mike Reuvekamp (California) on a hit-and-run.

The Rafters regained the lead in the fourth off of a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to center field by shortstop Jordan Dreiling (Kansas) that allowed designated hitter Aaron Jones (Winston-Salem State) to tag up from third and score.

A home run by Rafter left fielder Alex Bacon (North Florida), his fourth of the year, off of Mallards reliever Pat Kaminski (Central Michigan) extended the Rafter lead to two.

The Mallards were able to cut into the lead in the sixth on a fielders choice with bases loaded. After second baseman Luis Munoz (Coffeyville CC) hit a hard ball to Rafter third baseman Brandon Hohl (Illinois), Hohl tried to throw out designated hitter Bobby Burns (Parkland College) who was heading home on the force. Home plate umpire Art Gonzalez called the run safe after ruling Rafters catcher Michael Jurgella (St. Cloud State) had his foot off of the plate.

The Rafters maintained their lead until the eighth inning when Burns was able to score his second run of the game off of a dropped third strike passed ball following a pinch hit at-bat by Phil Sorenson (UT-Martin) to tie the score at three.

Both teams remained deadlocked until the 11th inning when a hard hit ball to center field by Kelly bounced off the wall. An error by the centerfielder Lally when he was playing the ball off the wall allowed Kelly to score and give the Rafters the lead.

The run proved to be enough for the Rafters as reliever Seth Fuller (Western Illinois) was able to lock things down in the bottom half of the inning and give the Rafters the 4-3 win.

Right-hander Danny Sullivan (Madison College) was the hard luck loser for the Mallards tonight. The lone run that he surrendered in his inning of relief was unearned and gave the Rafters the win.

Starting pitcher Anthony Marzi (Connecticut) was solid in his first outing of the season, going four innings for the Mallards. In his 99 pitches he surrendered five hits and two runs, while recording seven strikeouts.

Fuller (1-0) earned the win for the Rafters. Over his three innings of relief he allowed three hits and no runs. 

The two teams continued their dominance on the mound this season. The Mallards’ 69 strikeouts and the Rafters 63 strikeouts are one and two in the league respectively.

Sorenson has been a bright spot for the Mallards during the team’s three game skid. In his last three games the right-hander is hitting .455.

The Mallards will hit the road Tuesday to finish their two game series with the Rafters, first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. Following that game they will travel to Green Bay to start a three game home and away series with the Green Bay Bullfrogs. The Mallards return to the “Duck Pond” on Thursday June 7th to play games two and three of their series against Green Bay. That night will be Iceber Awareness Night Presented by Spectrum Brands at the “Duck Pond”.