By Peter Geppert
Madison, WI – August 11, 2012. With the bases loaded and one out, Mallards newcomer Jacob Reese (Eastern Illinois) delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to send the Madison Mallards (23-11, 39-30) home 5-4 winners over the Wausau Woodchucks (25-9, 42-27). The victory puts the Mallards in a position to finish the summer with a sweep of the three game series.
The Woodchucks got on the board first in the second inning with a leadoff solo homer by second baseman Joe Serrano (Arkansas) off of Mallards starter Trevor Foss (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi).
Woodchucks first baseman Brendon Hayden (Virginia Tech) doubled the lead in the third inning with an RBI single that brought home center fielder Brooks Braga (UW-La Crosse).
The Mallards rallied to take the lead in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs on three hits. After an error by the second baseman Serrano kept the inning alive, first baseman Jeff Zimmerman (Northern Illinois) brought home the first run with an RBI single that scored left fielder Derek Fisher (Virginia) from second. Catcher Mike Reuvekamp (California) followed with a game tying RBI double that scored third baseman Nicholas Howard (Virginia) from third. A wild pitch by Woodchucks starter Bex Trout (Northwest Missouri State) let Zimmerman reach home from third.
Hayden came through again for the Woodchucks in the fifth inning, delivering Braga home for his second RBI single of the night.
Confusion took over in the bottom half of the inning when the Mallards were beneficiaries of some questionable officiating. After the three man umpire crew ruled that Trout had balked when Reuvekamp had already flew out for what would have been the second out of the inning, Reuvekamp took advantage of the opportunity with a two RBI single to give the Mallards a 5-3 lead.
The Mallards extended their advantage to three runs in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly to left by Reuvekamp that allowed Howard to tag up and score.
The Woodchucks rallied to tie the game with three runs in the eighth inning off of Mallards reliever Jack Livingston (Northwestern). Designated hitter Jackson Lowery (Meridian CC) began the comeback with an RBI single that scored third baseman Joe Luvisi (Kansas). After left fielder Bryant Munoz (Pima CC) walked, shortstop Madison Carter (Grayson CC) hit a two RBI single to tie the game.
The Mallards would have none of it though on Fan Appreciation Night, when Reese punched a hard hit grounder through the right side of the infield to score Howard and win the game in the ninth inning.
Although he did not factor into the decision, Foss (3-8) came up with a spectacular performance in his final start of the season. Through 7.0 innings the Janesville native struck out 10 while allowing three runs on six hits.
Mallards reliever Sam Forkert (Marian) picked up the win, limiting the Woodchucks comeback with 1.1 ininings of scoreless relief to setup the victory.
Woodchucks reliever Pascal Paul (Iowa Western CC) was the hard luck loser tonight, giving up the winning run in the ninth inning.
News and Notes:
With tonight’s win, the Mallards capped their record at the “Duck Pond” with a 23-12 record.
Tonight’s attendance was 6,750.
Up Next:
After tonight’s home finale, the Mallards head to Wausau to wrap up their season against the Woodchucks. First pitch of that game is scheduled for 5:05 pm.
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.
