by Michael Tews
Battle Creek, Michigan. July 12, 2012 – A clutch RBI single by Mallards second baseman Luis Munoz (Coffeyville CC) in the 10th inning and a shutdown bottom half of the frame by reliever Hobie McClain (New Mexico) allowed the Madison Mallards (6-1, 22-20) to walk away with a 3-2 over the Battle Creek Bombers (1-6, 15-27). With the win the Mallards ended their four game road trip with a 3-1 record and upped their record in one-run games to 11-4.
Bombers starting pitcher Casey Mulholland (Ole Miss) continued to struggle as he put the Bombers in a compromising position in the second inning. After Mallards center fielder John Welborn (Texas -San Antonio) was walked, he showcased his base running ability by swiping second and third base to bring his stolen base total to 19. After issuing another free pass to designated hitter Jack Livingston (Northwestern), Mulholland (0-2) walked the third Mallard, right fielder Tyler Marincov (North Florida) to load the bases.
With a golden opportunity at hand, Munoz, who fought off 10 pitches against Mulholland, cashed in on the 11th throw with a 2 RBI single for the 2-0 lead. To add insult to injury, the pitch put Mulholland over the 35 pitch per inning limit, abruptly ending his night following two innings.
Even with the deficit, the Bombers remained in contention due to the impressive outing from reliever Brian Valenti (East Michigan) who pitched four shut out innings, despite allowing five hits.
As Valenti limited the Mallards offense, the Bombers capitalized on key defensive errors from the Mallards. The Bombers scored in the fifth inning when shortstop Tom Verdi (Connecticut) tried to convert a double play before realizing the ball eluded his glove, which allowed first baseman Sikes Orvis (Ole Miss) to take third, and catcher Kyle Figgins (Buffalo) followed with his 19th RBI to score Orvis.
In the following sixth inning, Munoz committed an error when he mishandled a shallow catch as the ball bounced off his glove, enabling second baseman Dylan Delaney (Michigan) to score from second to tie the game at two.
The game remained deadlocked at 2-2 until the tenth inning when the Mallards made a two out comeback. Reliever Alex Tukey (Minnesota) walked Livingston, then gave up a single to Verdi and gave a free pass to Marincov to third to load the bases. Munoz, who scored the lone two runs for the Mallards, delivered in the clutch as he hit a grounder that sent pinch runner Matt LaMothe (Georgia State) home.
The Bombers almost made a comeback when reliever Hobie McClain (New Mexico) allowed two batters to reach base but got right fielder Chris Sujka (Indiana) to flyout to end the game to get his second win of the season.
Mallards starter Kurt Giller (Oral Roberts) was solid and efficient, giving up only two runs on two hits while striking out six.
Tukey (1-3) was the losing pitcher as he gave up the winning run on two hits and two walks in the tenth. Mullholland only lasted two innings where he gave up two runs on two hits and three walks.
The Mallards return to the “Duck Pond” on Friday, July 13th to take on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (3-3, 19-21). 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.
