Madison, WI – June 11, 2012 Pitching by committee did not have good results against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (7-6) on Monday night for the Madison Mallards (6-7). Five pitchers in total took to the mound, hitting three batters, issuing 6 walks, and throwing 7 wild pitches.
The scoring began in the second inning for the Mallards when Vince Bruno (California) knocked home John Wellborn (Texas-San Antonio) by way of an error on the Woodchucks shortstop Mike Bernal (Oklahoma State). Designated Hitter Tyler Marincov (North Florida) then recorded an RBI single that scored Bruno, putting the Mallards up 2-0.
The Mallards put another run on the board in the 4th inning when shortstop Tom Verdi (Connecticut) reached base by an error on Woodchucks’ third baseman Jake Peter (Creighton) and subsequently went home on the two out double hit by Marincov.
The Woodchucks answered back in the bottom half of the inning when starting pitcher Kurt Giller (Oral Roberts) allowed two runs to score. Giller allowed the lead off man Nate Irving( Virginia) to reach on a single. Giller then hit the next batter Levi Meyer(Iowa Western). Meyer and Irving would eventually score when Jake Peter (Creighton) and Jake Jelmimi(College of the Canyons) grounded into 5-6 fielders’ choice. The score was 3-2
In the sixth inning it was another two out double that stretched the Mallards’ lead, but this time it was Jeff Zimmerman (Northern Illinois) doing the damage. Verdi led the inning off when he was hit by a pitch and Marincov joined him on base after being walked by Woodchucks’ starter Jackson Lowery (Meridian CC). Zimmerman took the first pitch he saw and ripped it down the first base line giving the Mallards a 5-2 lead.
Then it was lights out. Not a description of the pitching. With the lights turning off at Athletic Park, there was a slight delay between innings. When they came back on, the Mallards unraveled. Initially, Giller recorded consecutive strikeouts. The next two batters Giller issued consecutive walks and exited the game having reached his pitch count.
Relief pitcher Will Lamarche (Chabot College) entered and could not find the strike zone. The righty had excellent velocity, touching 94 miles an hour, but no control to match his power and left the mallards in a tough position on the road. His three wild pitches, one hit batter, and one walk in the inning tied the game at five.
The Mallards regained the lead in the seventh when Bobby Burns scored from third base when Welborn grounded into a double play.
All was for naught, though, when in the eighth inning the Woodchucks took advantage of costly mistakes by Mallards pitching. Reliever Hobie McClain (New Mexico) entered and allowed 5 runs on 2 hits. McClain threw two wild pitches, hit one batter, walked one, and was charged with an error. McClain’s 2/3 innings of work proved too much to overcome in the top of the ninth, as the game ended with Tyler Marincov striking out.
The Mallards will look to even the series tomorrow at tomorrow in the series finale. First pitch is at 6:35 PM.
The Mallards 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 TV 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.
