By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — June 20, 2013. Just one half inning after the Madison Mallards (13-8) committed three errors, the offense rebounded and scored seven runs to help propel the team to a 12-5 win over the Green Bay Bullfrogs (9-13).
Mallards reliever Sam Forkert (Marian) pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning and was on his way to another quick inning in the seventh, but the Mallards committed three errors and the Bullfrogs tied it at five. Nick Hibbing (Iowa) kept the damage to a minimum by coming in with one out and forcing a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat. He wound up getting the win and improves to 3-2.
The Mallards bats responded immediately. Center fielder Tate Matheny (Missouri State) tripled to right center scoring two to start things off. John LaPrise (Virginia) would also knock home two with a single up the middle five batters later and the Mallards would send 13 batters to the plate in the frame.
Drew Weeks (North Florida) hit a two-run bomb in the bottom of the first off of Bullfrogs starter Michael Fain (Nevada) to get things going for the Mallards. The Mallards tacked on two more in the fourth and another in the fifth.
The Bullfrogs jumped on Mallards starter Cam Verbeke (Northern Illinois) early, as Robert Youngdahl (Notre Dame) led off the game with a home run and Boomer White (TCU) hit a two-run home run to right just two batters later.
Verbeke would settle down and last five innings. He allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits. He walked one and struck out eight Bullfrogs.
Logan West (San Francisco) was saddled with the loss for the Bullfrogs and falls to 0-1 on the season. Fain lasted 4.1 innings and allowed five runs (all earned) on five hits.
Matheny and LaPrise led the Mallards offensively. Matheny finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs and LaPrise went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Joe McCarthy (Virginia) and Weeks also knocked in multiple runs. Both went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and had two RBIs.
White and center fielder Trevin Sonnier (TCU) were the two Bullfrogs with multiple hits on the night. White went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Sonnier went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
The Mallards begin a crucial three-game set against the South Division leading Lakeshore Chinooks by hosting them tomorrow for a 7:05 pm game before going to Mequon, Wisconsin to play the Chinooks again on Saturday. The Chinooks will then travel back to Madison for one more game on Sunday, which starts at 3:05 pm.
The Chinooks beat the Battle Creek Bombers 10-2 Thursday night and improve to 15-8 on the year, which is one game ahead of the Mallards mark of 13-8.
Tomorrow night at the “Duck Pond” is Agriculture Appreciation Night with a Farmer Maynard Bobblehead Giveaway by Pepsi. There will also be a petting zoo and hayrides courtesy of Play Madison Parks. The UW Pediatric Emergency Care Night 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 is celebrating its 20th season.
