By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — June 23, 2013. The Madison Mallards (13-9) were unable to gain ground on the Lakeshore Chinooks (16-8) Friday night because the game was suspended due to a city ordinance stating a new inning cannot start past 11 pm. The series finale will take place today at the “Duck Pond” and will start at 3:05 pm.
The two teams were able to complete 16 innings last night with the scored tied at three. The game was well on its way to be completed in just over two hours, but Mallards catcher Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State) hit a two-run bomb with two outs in the top of the ninth to tie things at three.
The Mallards put together serious threats in the 12th and 13th by loading the bases with two outs in both frames. Chinooks reliever Dan Sayles (Sacramento City) forced a groundout to end each inning.
The Chinooks nearly ended the game in the 12th inning as well. Chris Manning (Valparaiso) clubbed a double over Drew Weeks’ (North Florida) head in right with a runner on first that would have appeared to end the game, but the ball hopped over the fence for a ground-rule double and forced the runner to remain at third. Mallards reliever Sam Forkert (Marian) then struck out the next batter to end the inning.
The game will be continued on July 12th at Lakeshore before the 7:05 pm game that was originally scheduled.
Greg Welsh (Penn State) will be making his fifth start of the season today and looks to improve to 4-0. He picked up the win on June 17th at Battle Creek by allowing two earned runs on three hits in five innings of work. He is tied for the Northwoods League lead in wins and has an ERA of just 2.21.
Alex Young (TCU) will be making his fourth appearance and third start for the Chinooks. He pitched three innings of relief on June 5th against Eau Claire and only allowed two hits and has since started two games. He went at least five innings in both of those games and allowed only one earned run in each. He has an ERA of just 1.31 over 13.2 innings on the season.
Marathon in Mequon
The Mallards and Chinooks were getting dangerously close to tying the Northwoods League record for the longest game in league history last night. The Northwoods League has seen two games go 18 innings and one of them was a Mallards game in 2004. On August 3, 2004, the Mallards defeated the St. Cloud River Bats 9-5 in 18 innings. The other took place on July 19, 2005, when a St. Cloud vs Duluth game also went 18 innings.
Up Next:
The Mallards will play their second game of a six-game home stand tomorrow night at 7:05 pm against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. The game was originally scheduled for June 12th but was postponed due to 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.
