Madison, WI- June 23, 2012- An offensive explosion of 11 runs on 14 hits by the Lakeshore Chinooks (12-13) secured an 11-5 win by the Chinooks over the Madison Mallards (10-15). The win gave the Chinooks the rubber match of the three game series.
The Chinooks wasted no time getting started, putting up three runs in the first inning on a home run to right field by right fielder Bre Kimbell (Louisiana Tech). Center fielder Zach Granite (Seton Hall) led off the inning with a double. The hit was followed by left fielder Charlie Markson (Notre Dame) drawing a walk from Mallards starting pitcher Kurt Giller (Oral Roberts) to put runners at first and second base. Kimbell was able to put a charge into the first pitch he saw and give the Chinooks the early 3-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the inning the Mallards would chip away at the lead, scoring on a sacrifice fly by
third baseman Nicholas Howard (Virginia) to drive in right fielder Tyler Marincov (North Florida) in from third base.
The Mallards got another run in the second inning when an error by Chinooks shortstop Matt Morse (Alabama-Birmingham) allowed the ball to roll into the outfield and let Mallards shortstop Tom Verdi (Connecticut) score from second, making the score 3-2.
The Chinooks would respond in the third inning with a run to extend the lead to 4-2. With the bases loaded and no outs the Mallards elected to turn a ground ball by first baseman Ryan Krill (Michigan State) into a 4-6-3 double play rather than contest the play at the plate, allowing second baseman Ty Young (Louisville) to score.
A three run home run by left fielder Derek Fisher (Virginia), his first of the year, gave the Mallards
their first lead of the night. With runners on second and third and two outs Fisher launched a ball to left field that left the ballpark, the farthest home run hit at the “Duck Pond” this season.
The Chinooks reclaimed the lead in the sixth on a two RBI single by Kimbell that bounced off the glove of Mallards first baseman Michael McGraw (Missouri), allowing third baseman Scott Wilcox (Western Kentucky) and Granite to score. One more run would be added on a RBI double by designated hitter Eric Aguilera (Illinois State), putting the Chinooks ahead 7-5.
In the seventh the Chinooks added on an insurance run on another RBI hit by Kimbell, scoring Granite for his third run of the game.
Giller (1-0) recovered from a rough first inning in which he gave up three runs on three hits and threw 34 pitches to deliver a solid start. Through 5.0 innings he gave up four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts.
Mallards reliever Kyle Barbeck (Missouri) took the loss for the Mallards after giving up the go ahead runs in his 0.2 inning appearance. While on the mound Barbeck (0-2) gave up three hits and three runs which was enough for the Chinooks.
Chinooks starter Nick Soldano (North Park) was able to get the win in his second start against the Mallards this season. Through 5.2 innings on the hill Soldano (1-1) allowed five runs on nine hits.
Mallards pitchers couldn’t solve Kimbell who went 3-5 and had seven RBIs to power the Chinooks offense.
The Mallards will continue their weekend home stand at the “Duck Pond” on Sunday June 24th against the Eau Claire Express (7-16). That night will be the Meriter and Physicians Plus Stadium Blanket Giveaway at the ballpark.
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 League in North America.
