By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — June 23, 2013. A costly Madison Mallards (13-10) error in the top of the ninth and an RBI double in the top of the 11th from Lakeshore Chinooks (17-8) third baseman Brant Valach (EIU) proved to be enough Sunday, as the Chinooks won 5-4 in 11 innings.
Mallards shortstop Mike Reuvekamp (California) fielded a routine ground ball in the top of the ninth with a runner on third and two outs with the score tied 3-3, but his throw to first sailed on him to allow the runner from third to score.
The Mallards tied it in the next half inning thanks to an RBI groundout from Tate Matheny (Missouri State). But Mallards reliever Ben Neumann (Northern Illinois) allowed two costly hits two innings later and was tagged with the loss. He drops to 0-2 on the year.
The Mallards didn’t waste any time getting on the board, as Drew Weeks (North Florida) hit an RBI single that scored Matheny in the first. The Mallards other two runs came on a two-run home run from Bre Kimbell (Louisiana Tech) in the bottom of the sixth. It was Kimbell’s first home run of the season.
The Chinooks finally got to Mallards starter Greg Welsh (Penn State) in the fifth inning. Welsh struck out the first batter of the inning but allowed a home run, a double, a walk and another single before being relieved by Shawn Hunter (Oklahoma State).
Also pitching for the Mallards was Nick Smith (Western Illinois) and Nick Hibbing (Iowa). Smith pitched the seventh and eighth and allowed just one hit while Hibbing allowed one unearned run on one hit in the ninth.
Welsh went 4.2 innings and allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits. He walked three and stuck out four.
Chinooks reliever Mitchell Sewald (LSU) got the win by pitching the last three innings. He allowed only one hit and struck out one to improve to 1-1 on the year.
Mallards catcher Jason Goldstein (Illinois) led the Mallards offensively by going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Kimbell finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. Weeks was the other Mallards player to finish with multiple hits and finished 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
Harrison Bader (Florida) led the Chinooks offensively by going 3-for-6 with a pair of runs scored. He is now hitting .412 on the season.
With the loss, the Mallards drop to three games back of the Chinooks in the South Division standings.
The Mallards host the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters tomorrow for a 7:05 pm game. The game was originally scheduled for June 12th, but was rescheduled because of rain.
There will be a Meriter Hand Sanitizer Giveaway tomorrow. The Madison Knitters Guild Stitch and Pitch Night will also be held as well as the BOCA Burger Vegetarian Appreciation Night.
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.
