by Peter Geppert
Madison, WI – July 30, 2012. A couple of back breaking home runs by Loggers center fielder Richard Prigatano (Long Beach State) and shortstop Matt Chapman (Cal State Fullerton) combined with great defense led the La Crosse Loggers (13-9, 39-18) to a 7-1 win over the Madison Mallards (31-26, 15-7). With the win the Loggers took the first two games of the four games series.
Neither team could threaten on offense until the fourth inning, when the Loggers loaded the bases with no outs on starter Trevor Foss (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi). Foss gave the Loggers nothing though, striking out the side to escape the jam.
The Loggers loaded the bases again in the fifth inning, but would not waste the opportunity this time around, scoring four runs on a grand slam by Prigatano.
Chapman added on to the lead in the seventh inning with a three run homer off of Mallards reliever Will Lamarche (Chabot College), making the score 7-0.
The Mallards responded in the seventh inning with a home run of their own, a solo shot by right fielder Jack Livingston (Northwestern) to put the Mallards deficit at 7-1.
Foss (3-7) was tagged with his seventh loss of the season, giving up four runs on five hits while fanning eight hitters through 5.0 innings of work.
Loggers starter James Guillen (USC) picked up his fourth win of the season, going 7.0 innings in which he held the Mallards to one run on five hits. Guillen (4-2) was particularly effective from the windup, getting six of his seven strikeouts with no base runners.
News and Notes:
Both starting pitchers were impressive on the mound tonight, combining for 15 strikeouts.
The Loggers infield showed some serious leather to stiffle the Mallards offense, featuring several impressive defensive plays from third baseman Kevin Kramer (UCLA), second baseman Brendon Farney (California), Chapman, and Guillen.
With tonight’s loss the Mallards finished their four game home stand with a 1-3 record and dropped to 20-11 at home this season.
Neither side garnered much production out of their bottom three hitters, with the two sides going a combined 2-for-23 with 13 strikeouts.
Tonight’s attendance was 6,440.
Woodchucks Watch:
As the Mallards continue their chase of the Woodchucks for the second half South Division title and a spot in the post-season, the Mallards will continue to keep an eye on the Woodchucks the rest of the season…
Scoreboard Watch: Woodchucks 4, Bombers 10 Final
Up Next:
After tonight’s game the Mallards leave the “Duck Pond” for their longest road trip of the season, a five game odyssey that takes them to La Crosse to finish their series with the Loggers and Eau Claire to play a three game set against the Eau Claire Express (9-13, 20-36).
The Mallards return to the “Duck Pond” on Sunday, August 5th to start a five game series with the Lakeshore Chinooks (11-10, 28-28). That night will be Marshfield Clinic Susan G. Komen for the Cure Night and Princess Millie Bobblehead 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.
