By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Mequon, WI — June 11, 2013. The Madison Mallards (7-6) left a runner on third base in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings Tuesday night against the Lakeshore Chinooks (8-6) and ultimately fell 2-1 to finish their four-game road trip with a mark of 3-1.
Eric Cheray (Missouri State) led off the ninth with a walk off of Chinooks closer Jace Chancellor (Lubbock Christian), but Chancellor then struck out Jason Goldstein (Illinois) and induced a popup from Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State) to right. Cheray was then caught stealing on a 2-2 count with Sam Koenig (UW-Milwaukee) up at the plate.
Chancellor, who was drafted in the 28th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres, recorded his fourth save in just one week.
The Mallards entered the eighth down 2-0 but nearly had a huge inning. Shortstop Erik Forgione (Washington) and centerfielder Mitch Elliott (Xavier) singled with one out to put runners on first and second. Mike Reuvekamp (California) then reached on an error by Chinooks second baseman Cody Bobbit (Wichita State) that allowed Forgione to come home and put runners on second and third with one out.
Chinooks reliever Donnie Hissa (Notre Dame) got out of the jam by striking out Tate Matheny (Missouri State) and forcing Drew Weeks (North Florida) to fly out to right.
Mallards starter Luke Staub (George Washington) was tagged with the loss and drops to 0-2 on the year despite allowing just five hits and striking out six in six innings. He allowed two runs—one earned—and one walk.
Mike Hollenbeck (Illinois State) drove in a run with a single in the fifth off of Staub while Brant Valach (Eastern Illinois) hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Ben Neumann (Northern Illinois) relieved Staub and pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh while Danny Sullivan (Davenport) pitched a hitless eighth for the Mallards.
Chinooks starter Tyler Thicke (Madison College) got the win by scattering just three hits over six innings and not allowing a run. He struck out four and walked one.
Forgione, who was making his first appearance for the Mallards, was the only player to record multiple hits for the Mallards. He finished 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Hollenbeck paced the Chinooks offensively and went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Four out of the six runs the Mallards scored in the series were unearned.
The Mallards return home Wednesday night for a 7:05 pm game against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters before hitting the road again for an away game with the Rafters Thursday and another one against the Green Bay Bullfrogs on Friday. The BOCA Burger Vegetarian Appreciation Night and the Madison Knitters Guild Stitch and Pitch Night will both be held Wednesday night. The Meriter Hand Sanitizer Giveaway will also take place.
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.
