Madison, WI – June 5, 2012. A strong start by Rafters starting pitcher Cole Webb (Coffeyville CC) and a two RBI pinch-hit in the seventh by Jordan Dreiling (Kansas) provided just enough offense to give the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (4-3) a 2-0 shutout win over the Madison Mallards (3-4). The win gave the Rafters a sweep of the two game series and extended the Mallards losing streak to four games.
Mallards starting pitcher Alec Mills (UT-Martin) cruised through his second start of the season, pitching six innings of shutout baseball. Mills (0-0) only allowed five runner to reach base, surrendering only four hits and a walk while recording four strikeouts.
Webb (1-0) was equally impressive in his second start of the season, going six innings for the Rafters. The right-hander only allowed four hits, and was able to keep the four walks he issued off the scoreboard.
The game remained scoreless until the seventh inning when the Rafters were able to get two runs off of the pinch-hit by Dreiling to score first baseman Joshua Cyr (North Alabama) and right fielder Sean Godfrey (Ball State). The runs came off of Mallards reliever Sam Forkert (1-1), the first runs allowed by the lefty this season.
Rafters reliever Skyler Debilzen (UW-La Crosse) was able to come in in the ninth and shut down any effort at a Mallards comeback, earning his first save of the season.
Forkert (1-1) was tagged with the loss for the Mallards, in his 2.0 innings of relief he gave up
three hits and two runs.
Rafters reliever Tommy Danczyk (St. Thomas) earned the win for the Rafters in his first appearance of the season. Danczyk (1-0) only allowed one hit in his 2.0 innings of relief and was able to setup the save for Deblizen.
Despite being tied for the league lead in strikeouts with 17 and carrying a 1.39 ERA through two starts Mills has yet to earn a decision for the Mallards. In 13 innings on the mound he has proven to be the gem of the Mallards pitching staff so far.
The Mallards will have to find a way to break out of their slump quickly as they begin a series with the Green Bay Bullfrogs (3-4), their 41 runs lead the South Division.
The Mallards will head to Green Bay to finish their two game road trip and begin a three game home and away series with the Bullfrogs.
The team returns to the “Duck Pond” on Thursday June 7th to play games two and three of their series against Green Bay. That night will be Iceberg Awareness Night Presented by Spectrum Brands at the “Duck Pond”.
The 2012 season is upon us! Single-game tickets are on-sale for all Mallards home games!
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.