By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Battle Creek, MI — June 17, 2013. The Madison Mallards (11-7) used a huge fifth inning to pull out a 8-3 victory Monday night against the Battle Creek Bombers (10-9) to start their three-game road trip.
Designated hitter Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State) led off the inning with a home run to left field, but that was just the beginning for the Mallards offense in the inning, as they sent 10 more batters to the plate. Second baseman Erik Forgione (Washington) and right fielder Drew Weeks (North Florida) both had two-RBI singles later in the frame.
Mallards catcher Jason Goldstein (Illinois) had the Mallards only hit prior to the fifth, as he hit a double off of Bombers starter Hunter Devall (LSU) in the top of the second. Devall lasted only 4.2 innings and allowed five runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out three. He has yet to reach the sixth inning in any of his four starts this season and drops to 0-1.
The Mallards added two more in the seventh when newcomer Bre’shon Kimbell (Louisiana Tech) hit an RBI double down the right field line and center fielder Luke Meeteer (UW-Milwaukee) later knocked him in on a fielder’s choice.
Weeks provided the Mallards with some insurance in the ninth by leading off the inning with a triple and scoring on a wild pitch from Bombers reliever Ethan Bramschneider (Northwestern).
Mallards starter Greg Welsh (Penn State) picked up his third win of the season and allowed two runs on three hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out three. Jack Livingston (Northwestern) also made his 2013 debut by pitching a hitless sixth. Danny Sullivan (Davenport) struck out five and allowed three hits in the seventh and eighth innings. He now has 18 strikeouts in just 11 innings on the year.
Nick Hibbing (Iowa) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth and struck out two to close out the game.
Weeks led the Mallards by going 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. Forgione finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored.
Joe Serrano (Arkansas) led the Bombers offensively by going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.
The Mallards conclude their two-game series with the Bombers tomorrow for another 6:05 pm game before heading to Green Bay on Wednesday for a 7:05 pm contest.
The Mallards return home Thursday, June 20th against the Bullfrogs. Verno’s Custom Tattoo Night will be that night. Free, full color Mallards tattoos will be available before the game and fans can register at Verno’s Tattoos for full tattoos and temporary tattoos will be provided for the first 500 kids. Oscar Mayer Hot Dog Appreciation Night will also take place that night and there will be Wiener Dog Races. 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.
