June 30, 2013 – Battle Creek, MI. The Madison Mallards (19-11) defeated the Battle Creek Bombers (13-18) 10-2 Sunday afternoon. The Mallards were powered by right fielder Tate Matheny (Missouri State) and third baseman John LaPrise (Virginia). Matheny finished 3-5 with two RBI’s and LaPrise drove in two runs and collected four hits. The win combined with a loss from the Lakeshore Chinooks puts the Mallards back into first place in the Northwoods League South Division Standings.
Mallards starter Taylore Cherry (UNC) pitched three innings and allowed one run, but struggled with his command and issued four walks. Sam Forkert (Marian) earned the win and pitched three innings with three strikeouts and one walk in relief of Cherry. Forkert, Kristain Calibuso (Eastern Michigan), and Nick Smith (Western Illinois) gave up one run in six innings out of the bullpen.
The game was close until the middle innings when the Mallards scored one in the fifth, four in the sixth, and two in the seventh. The Mallards loaded the bases in the fifth with no outs and manufactured two runs off of RBI fielders choices from Luke Meeteer (Milwaukee) and Erik Forgione (Washington). Matheny followed with a two-out, two-RBI double.
The lone bright spot for the Bombers was catcher Kade Scivicque (SW Mississippi) who went three for four with an RBI. Starter Mike Mancuso (Georgia) was tagged with the loss after allowing two runs on five hits. He falls to 1-1 on the season.
The Mallards will finish this series with the Bombers with a 6:05 pm CT game Monday night. They will then round out the first half schedule with two games at La Crosse on July 2nd and July 3rd at Copeland Park.
July 3rd is the West Bend Home Talent Classic featuring Paul Molitor at the “Duck Pond.” The Rhythm and Booms Fireworks show will also take place after the game. The American Cancer Society Community Connection Night is also that day.
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.
