By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Eau Claire, WI — June 8, 2013. Madison Mallards (5-5) right fielder Tate Matheny (Missouri State) provided the Mallards only hit—a solo home run in the top of the second—and the Mallards took advantage of a pair of Eau Claire Express (3-7) errors to begin their four-game road trip with a 3-1 win Saturday night.
Express starter Ed Brandsema (Montevallo) fooled Mallards batters through his six innings of work but walked four batters and was desperately hurt by a pair of errors in the top of the sixth.
Mallards designated hitter Sam Koenig (UW-Milwaukee) ripped a line drive right at Express first baseman Chase Lynch (Dallas Baptist) with two runners on and one out in the sixth, but Lynch dropped the ball and allowed Matheny—who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning—to score on the play.
Express second baseman Carlos Chavez (New Mexico JUCO) then allowed a soft pop up off the bat of Ryan McShane (Madison College) to scoot past him just two batters later and allowed catcher Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State) to score the game’s final run.
The Express finally got to Nunn the third time through the lineup in the bottom of the fifth, as Charlie White (Maryland) singled and Daniel Kihle (Wichita State) doubled to put two runners in scoring position with two outs. Nunn then got Lynch to strike out swinging, but the ball was in the dirt and Mallards catcher Mike Fitzgerald’s (Indiana State) throw down to first was well wide and allowed the Express to score their only run.
Nunn got the win and allowed one run, which was unearned, on four hits and lasted five innings. He struck out five and improves to 1-0 on the year.
Sam Forkert (Marian), Kristian Calibuso (Eastern Michigan) and Hunter May (UNC-Charlotte) combined to pitch the last four innings and didn’t allow a hit. May struck out two in the ninth to pick up his second save on the year.
Brandsema was tagged with the loss despite going six innings and allowing just one hit. He struck out four and falls to 0-1 on the year.
Matheny finished 1-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored.
White led the Express offensively by going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
The Mallards will look for the two-game sweep at Eau Claire Sunday for a 5:05 pm game and will then travel to Mequon, Wisconsin for a two-game set against the Lakeshore Chinooks before returning to the “Duck Pond” Wednesday against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. The Meriter Hand Sanitizer Giveaway will be taking place that night. The BOCA Burger Vegetarian Appreciation Night and the Madison Knitters Guild Stitch and Pitch Night will also be held. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
The 2013 season is upon us! Single-game tickets are on-sale now!
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 Baseball League in North America. In 2013, the Northwoods League will celebrate its 20th season.
