by Mike Tews
Battle Creek, MI – July 20, 2012. With a five-run eighth inning, highlighted by a three run homer by left fielder Derek Fisher (Virginia), the Madison Mallards (11-4, 27-23) took the first game of a three game series with a convincing 8-3 victory over the Battle Creek Bombers (5-10, 19-31).
In the first inning, the Mallards wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. After center fielder John Welborn (Texas-San Antonio) hit a double and stole third, right fielder Tyler Marincov (North Florida) hit an RBI groundout, his 40th RBI this year, to score Welborn for the 1-0 lead.
After struggling in both of their previous starts, Mallards starting pitcher Trevor Foss (Texas A&M – Corpus Christi) and Bombers starting pitcher Cole Swanson (San Diego State) rebounded to turn the game into a pitcher’s duel. In four innings, Foss (3-5) gave up one hit and fanned four, while Swanson gave up a run on two hits and five strikeouts.
In the fifth, Swanson started to break down. After walking designated hitter Jack Livingston (Northwestern), Swanson attempted to throw him out at second after catcher Mike Reuvekamp (California) put the ball into play. However, the ball ricocheted off second baseman Dylan Delaney (Michigan) and careened towards third. With no fielder on third, left fielder Conor Costello (Arkansas) hesitated to field the ball, allowing both Livingston and Reuvekamp to advance. Newcomer shortstop Ryan Busch (Georgetown) took advantage, hitting an RBI single for the 2-0 lead.
The Bombers answered in the fifth when third baseman Casey Yocum (LSU) hit a sacrifice fly to score catcher Kyle Figgins (Buffalo) for the Bombers first run.
In the sixth inning, Madison did not let up and extended its lead to 3-1 after Reuvekamp hit an RBI single that scored catcher Tyler Gushue (Florida).
Controversy arose in the bottom half inning. First baseman Sikes Orvis (Ole Miss) believed he had a triple but an official ruled ground rule double. After talking with Bombers manager Brandon Higlin, the umpire investigated right field and ruled it a triple to the dismay of Mallards manager Greg Labbe. The officials then consulted amongst themselves and reversed the ruling again, forcing Orvis back to second. Even with the confusion, the Bombers registered another run after Costello hit an RBI single for a 3-2 deficit.
With the momentum, the Bombers threatened in the seventh after Mallards reliever Anthony Marzi (Connecticut) loaded the bases. Despite the precarious situation, reliever Hobie McClain (New Mexico) entered and forced Dylaney into a double play.
The defensive stand reinvigorated the Mallards as they came back in the 8th inning to bust the game open. Reliever Ethan Bramschreiber (Northwestern) issued a walk to Gushue, a single to Livingston, a walk to Busch, followed by yet another walk to drive in Gushue. Bramschreiber also gave up a sacrifice fly to Welborn, leaving the inning with the score 5-2.
Bombers reliever Brian Heldman (Arkansas) followed Bramschreiber that inning by giving up a homer to Fisher, which put the game out of reach 8-2.
The Bombers scored a run in the ninth, but it did not matter as Foss picked up his third win. Foss worked 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with five strikeouts.
Swanson, who started out strong, surrendered three runs on six hits and three walks even though he strike out seven Mallards.
The Mallards return to action at the “Duck Pond” on Friday, July 27th against the Rafters. That night will be Presidential Bobble Election Night 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.
