Madison, WI – June 20, 2012. A two out strikeout with the tying run at third in the ninth by Bullfrogs reliever Will Landsheft (Drury) delivered the Green Bay Bullfrogs (13-9) a 3-2 win over the Madison Mallards (9-13).
The Mallards would cross home plate for the first time in the series on a throwing error by Bullfrogs
starting pitcher Taylor Black (Texas State) when second baseman Luis Munoz (Coffeyville CC) tried to bunt over center fielder Tyler Marincov (North Florida) from second to third. The ball went wide of Bullfrogs first baseman David Armendariz (Cal Poly), and allowed Marincov to score from second base.
The Bullfrogs would come back to take the lead in the sixth inning off of a little bit of small ball. With runners on second and third catcher Duncan McAlpine (Dallas Baptist) would single in third baseman Clayton Eslick (Gonzaga) to score. The Bullfrogs would grab the lead on a safety squeeze by right fielder Colin Shaw (Texas) that allowed Armendariz to reach home.
The Bullfrogs would add an insurance run in the ninth off of a throwing error by Mallards third baseman Nicholas Howard (Virginia) that allowed Bullfrogs third baseman Ransom Lalonde (St. Edwards) to round third base and get home, giving the Bullfrogs a 3-1 lead.
That run would prove to be the difference as the Mallards would be able to scratch one run across on an RBI by pinch hitter Bobby Burns (Parkland) to score Howard. With the tying run on third base and two outs Landsheft struck out Marincov to end the game.
Mallards starter Brandon Barker (Mercer) was tagged with the loss, giving up two runs and five hits in
6.0 innings on the mound. Barker (0-3) cruised for the most part until the sixth inning when he gave up the two runs that would prove to be enough for the Bullfrogs to win.
Bullfrogs starter Taylor Black (Texas State) earned the win, going 5.0 innings and allowing one run on four hits while striking out four.
The loss tonight represents the second time this season that the Mallards have been swept, with the last time coming last week against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (10-12) during a June 11-12th series.
Despite striking out at the end of the game, Marincov continued to power the Mallards offense. In five at-bats the right-hander went 3-5 and scored a run.
The Mallards defense will be looking to move on from a tough series in which they committed eight errors.
Up next for the Mallards is a three game set with the Chinooks, with the series beginning with two at Lakeshore.
The Mallards will return to the “Duck Pond” on Saturday June 23rd to finish their series with the Chinooks. That night will be Jani-King Air Freshener at the ballpark, featuring post-game fireworks presented by Budweiser.
