Madison, WI – June 8, 2012. A combined five innings of hitless baseball to finish the game by the Green Bay Bullfrogs (4-6) pitching staff allowed the Bullfrogs to salvage a 4-1 series finale victory over the Madison Mallards (5-5). The cost the Mallards a chance to sweep the Bullfrogs in their first meeting of the season.
The Bullfrogs wasted no time to start the game, scoring in the first inning off a two out RBI double by first baseman Ryan McCauley (Niagra). After driving the ball into the gap the relay throw by shortstop Tom Verdi (Connecticut) went over the head of catcher Mike Wieland (Heartland College), scoring designated hitter Justin Seager (UNC-Charlotte) from first base.
The Mallards struck back in the fourth when center fielder John Welborn (Texas-San Antonio) homered to right field off of Bullfrogs starting pitcher Taylor Black (Texas State). The home run was the leadoff hitters first of the season.
In the fifth the Bullfrogs were able to regain the lead when Verdi misplayed a ground ball up the middle that allowed catcher Kyle Still (Winona State) to score from third, making the score 2-1.
The Bullfrogs were able to get an insurance run in the seventh when Stein hit a deep sacrifice fly to right with the bases loaded that allowed shortstop Jason McMurray (Notre Dame) to tag up from third and score the Bullfrogs third run of the night.
Offensively the Mallards were limited by the Bullfrogs pitching staff until the eighth innings when
they were able to get two runners in scoring position against Bullfrog reliever Elliot Waterman (San Francisco). However Waterman was able to work out of the jam, striking out Welborn and getting fielder Vince Bruno (California) to fly out to left.
Starting pitcher Brandon Barker (Mercer) was charged with the loss for the Mallards despite racking up eight strikeouts. Barker (0-2) gave up two runs off of two hits in 6.0 innings of work.
Black (1-0) got the win for the Bullfrogs in his first start of the season, giving up the lone run on the Welborn homer and three hits while striking out four.
Entering the series the Bullfrogs had been the highest scoring team in the South Division, coming in with 41 runs. The Mallards pitching staff was able to hold the Bullfrogs to five runs in three games and registered 36 strikeouts.
Offensively the Mallards lineup will be looking to rebound off of a tough series where they hit
.131. The team showed signs of life at times, getting home runs from designated hitter Phil Sorenson (UT-Martin) and Welborn.
The Mallards will embark on a four game road trip to take on the Eau Claire Express (4-6) and the Wisconsin Woodchucks (6-4). The team returns to the “Duck Pond” on Wednesday June 13th to take on the Bombers. That night will be The Payroll Company Police Appreciation Night at the ballpark featuring Erik Estrada from the hit TB show ChiPs.
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.
