By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Eau Claire, WI — June 9, 2013. The Madison Mallards (6-5) pounded out 11 hits Sunday night against the Eau Claire Express (3-8) in their 9-1 rout just one night after recording just one hit in a 3-1 win.
Mallards left fielder Drew Weeks (North Florida) provided the bulk of their offensive attack by knocking in five runs in just the first two innings of the contest. He hit a two-run single in the first and hit a three-run bomb to left in the next inning.
The Express couldn’t get anything going offensively off of Mallards starter Jordan Tabakman (UConn), who was making his first appearance of the season. He allowed no runs and surrendered just two hits in his five innings of work. He struck out two and walked just one to capture the win.
Alec Crawford (Minnesota) lasted just 4.2 innings for the Express but was hindered by a pair of errors behind him. He allowed seven runs—three earned—and eight hits while striking out two and walking three. The loss drops him to 0-2 on the season.
The Express scored their only run in the bottom of the seventh off of Shawn Hunter (Oklahoma State), who was also making his Mallards debut. Express third baseman Carlos Chavez (New Mexico JUCO) hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Matt Menard (Baylor).
Cody Peterson (Madison College) also made his first appearance for the Mallards in the game by pitching the sixth inning. He walked one and allowed one hit. Nick Hibbing (Iowa) pitched the final two innings and allowed one hit and struck out three.
Catcher Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State) and first baseman Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) were the other two players in the Mallards lineup with multiple hits. Fitzgerald went 3-for-4 with a run scored and Zahn finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a walk and a run scored.
Menard went 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Express and was the only Express player to record multiple hits.
The Mallards will head to Mequon, Wisconsin tomorrow for a two-game stand with the Lakeshore Chinooks. Monday and Tuesday night’s games are scheduled for 6:35 pm. They return home Wednesday for a 7:05 pm game against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. The BOCA Burger Vegetarian Appreciation Night and the Madison Knitters Guild Stitch and Pitch Night will be held that night as well as the Meriter Hand Sanitizer Giveaway.
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.
