By Peter Geppert
Madison, WI – August 10, 2012. In a game that saw four costly errors from the Wisconsin Woodchucks (25-8, 42-26), the Madison Mallards (22-11, 38-30) wasted none in taking an 8-5 win. With the victory the Mallards scored the opener of the three game series.
The Woodchucks got out of the gate quickly, scoring in the first inning with an RBI single by first baseman Brendon Hayden (Virginia Tech) that brought shortstop Madison Carter (Grayson County CC) home from second.
The lead did not last long though, as the Mallards struck back in the bottom half of the inning to score two runs. Designated hitter Derek Fisher (Virginia) brought home right fielder Tyler Marincov (North Florida) from second to tie the game with an RBI double. The Mallards then took a 2-1 lead on first baseman Jeff Zimmerman’s RBI single that brought Fisher home from second.
A comedy of errors ensued in the second inning, when the Mallards were able to take advantage of some sloppy defense by the Woodchucks to scratch a couple runs across the plate. The Mallards got their first run off of a fielding error by Woodchucks second baseman Joe Serrano (Arkansas) that scored second baseman Mike Reuvekamp (California) from third. After the error put runners on first and third, shortstop Greg Rhude (Madison College) brought home third baseman Tom Sawyer (Ripon) with a sacrifice fly to left.
Reuvekamp came through for the Mallards in the third inning, delivering a sacrifice fly to center that allowed Marincov to tag up from third and score.
The Mallards pushed their lead to 6-1 off of more poor defense from the Woodchucks in the fourth inning, scoring a run on an error by the shortstop Carter that let Rhude score from second.
The Woodchucks clawed their way back into the game with a three run rally in the fifth inning, scoring off of a pair of RBI doubles. With Carter on second, center fielder Brooks Braga (UW-La Crosse) doubled home the first run off of Mallards starter Nick Sutherland (Minnesota State). Serrano capped the scoring with a lined shot over the head of the right fielder Marincov that brought home Braga and right fielder Eric Filia-Snyder (UCLA).
Marincov made the score 7-4 in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly to right that allowed Rhude to tag up from third and score his second run of the game.
The Woodchucks would not be dismayed, as they responded in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly from Hayden that brought Braga home from third.
The Mallards added an insurance run in the eighth inning, extending their lead to three runs on a two out RBI triple by Marincov that scored left fielder Mitch Elliot (Xavier).
Mallards reliever Hobie McClain (New Mexico) ended any chance at a Woodchucks comeback in the ninth inning, getting Braga to ground out to end the game for his fifth save of the season.
Sutherland (2-0) earned his second win of the season for the Mallards. Through 5.0 innings, the right-hander gave up four runs on six hits while striking out three.
Woodchucks starter Adam Kramer (Concordia-St. Paul) took his first loss of the season, giving up six runs on six hits and three walks through 5.0 innings. Kramer (1-1) was particularly victimized by poor defense, as only two of the six runs he allowed were earned.
News and Notes:
Reuvekamp was the busiest Mallard in the field tonight, as 11 of the 24 outs recorded by the Mallards defense were made by the second baseman.
McClain (4-0) has proved a capable substitute in the absence of the Mallards usual closer John Hamilton (UNC-Charlotte). The sidewinder is perfect in five save opportunities this season with a 2.67 ERA.
Tonight’s attendance was 6,747.
Up Next:
The Mallards play their final home game of the season tomorrow, August 11th against the Woodchucks. That night will be TDS and Budweiser Fan Appreciation Night at the ballpark, and will also feature in-game entertainment from the Inflatamaniacs. First pitch of that game is scheduled for 6:35 pm.
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.
