By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — June 24, 2013. The Madison Mallards (14-10) went yard three times and batted around in the second inning to help pull out a 13-3 victory Monday night against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (13-13).
Mallards starter Luke Staub (George Washington) was equally impressive on the mound, as the Peoria, Illinois native struck out 10 and allowed only two hits in seven innings of work. He improves to 2-2 on the year.
Mallards first baseman Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) highlighted the slugfest by going 4-for-5 and finished a triple away from the cycle. Two of his hits—a double and a single—came in the second inning. He entered the game hitting .278 and is now hitting at a .322 clip.
The huge second inning knocked Rafters starter Brad Stroik (UW-Stephens Point) out of the game after just 1.2 innings. He entered the night with a 1.67 ERA, which was good for eighth in the Northwoods League. His ERA rose to 2.52 after the contest and his record drops to 2-1.
The Rafters scored three off of Mallards reliever Jack Livingston (Northwestern) in the eighth. Only one of those runs were earned, as the Mallards committed two errors in the inning.
Nick Smith (Western Illinois) came on for the Mallards in the ninth and pitched a 1-2-3 inning. He struck out two.
The Mallards wasted no time in getting on the board, as Joe McCarthy (Virginia) and Bre’ Kimbell (Louisiana Tech) recorded RBI doubles to right field in the bottom of the first. The Mallards batted around in the second and scored seven runs in the frame. Zahn had two hits in the inning, Kimbell hit his second double of the night that scored two runs and catcher Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State) hit a three-run home run to left.
The Mallards went on to score in every inning besides the third, fourth and eighth innings.
Drew Weeks (North Florida) had another huge night at the plate by going 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Kimbell finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs and a run scored.
Donnie Dewees (North Florida) was the only Rafters hitter to finish with multiple hits. He finished 2-for-4 with a run scored. Jonathan Moroney (Texas A&M) recorded the lone Rafters RBI.
The win moves the Mallards within 2.5 games of the Lakeshore Chinooks (17-8) for first place in the Northwoods League South Division Standings.
The Mallards will play their third game of a six-game home stand tomorrow against the Battle Creek Bombers (12-13).
Tomorrow night’s game is the Sustain Dane Mallards Go Green Night. There will also be a Zimbrick Honda LEGO Rubber Ducky Giveaway. The matchup will also feature Cutter Night and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Community Connection 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.
