by Mike Tews
Green Bay, Wisconsin. July 10, 2012 – With a towering, three run homer in the seventh inning courtesy of first baseman Jeff Zimmerman (N. Illinois), the Madison Mallards (20-20) fashioned a thrilling come back to defeat the Green Bay Bullfrogs (25-15) 3-2 and split the two game series.
Up until the home run, Joannes Stadium had terrorized the Mallards as they had failed to score an earned run in an incredible 40.0 innings at the Bullfrogs home. Despite the streak, in addition to an abysmal road record (5-13), the Mallards resiliently rose above the adversity and came up with an important victory.
Mallards starter Brandon Barker (Mercer), who was slated to start, was scratched and left-handed reliever Daniel Gibson (Florida) got his second official start.
Similar to Monday’s game, both pitchers started strong, allowing no runs through two innings before Gibson got into trouble in the third inning.
Bullfrogs right fielder Brian Celsi (California) hit a single to reach first and Gibson surrendered back-to-back walks to first baseman David Armendariz (Cal Poly) and designated hitter Collin Shaw (Texas) to load the bases. Center fielder Billy Moon (Gonzaga) took advantage and got a fielder’s choice RBI, driving in Celsi, and a wild pitch from Gibson enabled Armendariz to score for a 2-0 lead.
Despite the slight hiccup, Gibson kept the Mallards in contention by preventing no more runs to score until the Mallards completely turned the tides in the seventh.
The first lead-off hitter to reach base for the Mallards finally came in the seventh when left fielder Derek Fisher (Virginia) singled, while third baseman Nick Howard (Virginia) quickly followed with a single of his own.
With two men on base, Zimmerman stepped up and abruptly snapped the Mallards 40.0 inning scoreless streak as he crushed a home run into right field with the ball soaring 20 feet above the scoreboard for a 3-2 lead.
Mallards relievers Will Lamarche (Chabot) and Hobie McClain (New Mexico) held the Bullfrogs scoreless in the seventh and eighth innings. Mallards’ closer John Hamilton (UNC-Charlotte), in his 14th appearance for the Mallards, tallied his seventh save of the season with an impressive ninth inning of relief.
Gibson was impressive in his second win after working 6.0 innings, giving up only two runs on three hits and four walks, also tallying six strikeouts.
Black, who had allowed two hits before the seventh, fell apart and received his first loss of the year. The lefty went 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, despite striking out seven batters.
The Mallards will venture to Battle Creek, Michigan for the first time this season to take on the Battle Creek Bombers (1-4, 15-25). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm CT.
The Mallards return to the “Duck Pond” on Friday, July 13th to take on the Rafters. That night will feature the Half Pint Brawlers Midget Wrestler presented by MINI of Madison.
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.
