By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — June 27, 2013. The Madison Mallards (17-10) didn’t send more than four batters to the plate in an inning until the seventh, when the Mallards sent 16 up to bat and scored 10 runs to break open a 2-1 game against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (10-18). The Mallards went on to win 13-6.
The Mallards are now only one half game back from first place in the South Division standings. The Lakeshore Chinooks (18-10) beat the La Crosse Loggers (18-11) 10-5 Thursday night.
Mallards left fielder Joe McCarthy (Virginia) and Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) both had multiple hits and five Mallards players reached base twice in the seventh inning alone. The Mallards also pulled out the victory without recording an extra-base hit and had just three hits prior to the seventh.
The Mallards knocked out Woodchucks starter Danny Young (Florida) after 6.1 innings of work. He allowed just two runs prior to the seventh but ultimately allowed seven runs (all earned) on seven hits. He struck out three and walked two.
Mallards starter Jordan Tabakman (UConn) left the game with two outs in the top of the fifth with what appeared to be arm discomfort. He allowed one run (earned) on five hits and struck out two.
Ben Neumann (Northern Illinois) relieved the injured Tabakman and threw 1.2 innings. He allowed just one hit and struck out three Woodchuck batters. He recorded the win and improves to 1-2 on the season.
Kristian Calibuso (Eastern Michigan) came in for Neumann with one runner on and one out in the top of the seventh with the score 2-1 in the Mallards favor. After a stolen base and a wild pitch, Calibuso then snagged a line drive right back at him off the bat of Woodchucks center fielder Joey Rodriguez (Wake Forest). He then forced a groundout to first baseman Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) to end the threat.
The Mallards other three runs came in the second, third and eighth innings. Zahn continued his hot streak by going 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Drew Weeks (North Florida) and Joe McCarthy (Virginia) also recorded three hits. Weeks finished 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored while McCarthy went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
The Woodchucks scored five in the ninth off of Shawn Hunter (Oklahoma State) before Danny Sullivan (Davenport) came in and recorded the last two outs.
Four Woodchucks batters recorded two hits on the night. Third baseman Kirby Taylor (Rice) led the team offensively by going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
The Mallards conclude their six-game home stand against at 7:05 pm against the Woodchucks.
Tomorrow night is the Charter Communications Teddy Bear Toss! MINI of Madison is also presenting the Russian Bar Trio! Other events taking place are the Union Cab Stress Taxi Giveaway in the Great Dane Duck Blind and the TEAM Survivor Madison Inc 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.
