By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Wisconsin Rapids, WI — June 13, 2013. The Madison Mallards (8-6) hung on to win 4-3 against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (5-10) Thursday night and Hunter May (UNC-Charlotte) recorded his fourth save of the season.
The Rafters loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but May buckled down and forced Jonathan Moroney (Texas A&M) to fly out to right and then struck out second baseman Erik Payne (Virginia Tech) to end the game.
In addition to leaving three runners on in the ninth, the Rafters left two runners on in the second, fourth, sixth and eighth innings.
Offensively, the Mallards used the long ball to score three of their four runs. Center fielder Tate Matheny (Missouri State) slugged his third home run of the year in the top of the second that also scored Drew Weeks (North Florida). Erik Forgione (Washington) hit a solo home run to dead center in the top of the fifth to give the Mallards a 4-1 lead.
The Rafters responded during the next half inning, though, as Donnie Dewees (North Florida) took Mallards reliever Nick Smith (Western Illinois) deep to pull within one.
The Mallards other run came in the top of the third, when third baseman Eric Cheray (Missouri State) hit a sacrifice fly that scored second baseman Mike Reuvekamp (California).
Mallards starter Cody Peterson (Madison College) only allowed one run in four innings in his first start of the season, but was plagued by four free passes. He allowed four hits and struck out three.
Nick Hibbing (Iowa) and Sam Forkert (Marian) also pitched in relief for the Mallards. Hibbing got the win and improved to 1-2 by allowing no runs on two hits in one inning of work. Forkert allowed no runs on one hit in two innings of work.
Rafters starter Justin Peters (Texas), who played for the Mallards on a temporary contract earlier this summer, went six innings and allowed four runs—all earned—on nine hits. He struck out three and walked one.
Forgione paced the Mallards offensively by finishing 3-for-4. Weeks and catcher Jason Goldstein (Illinois) also had multiple hits for the Mallards. Weeks went 2-for-4 and scored a run while Goldstein went 2-for-4.
Moroney led the way offensively for the Rafters by going 3-or-5. Dewees went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored.
The Mallards conclude their two-game road trip Friday with a 7:05 pm game against the Green Bay Bullfrogs. The Mallards will then head back to the “Duck Pond” Saturday for a 6:05 pm game against the Bullfrogs. The Dentistry for Madison Turn Back the Clock Night with Dr. Jay Hazen will take place that night. There will also be a Muskies Hat Giveaway and Budweiser will provide post-game fireworks.
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.
