By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — July 2, 2013. Michael Katz (William & Mary) kept the La Crosse Loggers (21-13) in the Northwoods League South Division First Half Championship hunt by doubling off the left field fence for an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth off of Mallards reliever Hunter May (UNC-Charlotte).
May managed to get out of a serious threat just one inning prior. Zack Rivera (Long Beach State) led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to left off of Mallards reliever Jack Livingston (Northwestern), who pitched a 1-2-3 seventh. He then hit Brandon DeFazio (College of San Mateo) with a pitch to put runners on first and second with no outs.
Catcher Jason Goldstein (Illinois) then tried picking off Rivera at second but had his throw reach center field, allowing both runners to advance. Livingston then buckled down and struck out the next batter and Hunter May (UNC-Charlotte) entered to try to end the threat.
May then induced a popup to short center off of the bat of third baseman Connor Teykl (Rice) that wasn’t deep enough to allow the runner on third to tag. After walking the next batter to load the bases, Luke Meeteer made a spectacular diving catch off the bat of Mike Nadratowski (Grand Valley State) that would’ve cleared the bases to end the inning.
Mallards left fielder Joe McCarthy (Virginia) reached second in the ninth with the score tied at five off of a botched double play attempt by the Loggers, but Bre’ Kimbell (Louisiana Tech) struck out to end the inning.
The Mallards didn’t waste any time in getting on the scoreboard, as Kimbell scorched a line drive at Loggers third baseman Connor Teykl, but Teykl had it bounce off of his glove into left field to allow John LaPrise (Virginia) and Joe McCarthy (Virginia) to score.
The game would bounce back-and-forth in the early innings, as the Loggers would score one in the bottom half of the inning and three more in the second. But the Mallards responded just as aggressively and scored three more of their own in the top of the third.
After a scoreless fourth, the Loggers tied things up at five after a Johnny Bekakis (Long Beach State) solo home run off of Mallards reliever Danny Sullivan (Davenport).
Jamie Nunn (Appalachian State) worked four solid innings but was hurt by three walks and a high pitch count. He allowed four runs (all earned) on five hits in four innings and struck out one.
Loggers starter Ben Cejka (UW-La Crosse) was also knocked out early and allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits in just three innings. He walked two and struck out one.
John LaPrise (Virginia) continued his red-hot hitting streak by going a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored. Meeteer was the only other Mallards hitter with multiple hits and finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Goldstein (Illinois) and Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) recorded the two other Mallards RBIs.
May was tagged with the loss and drops to 0-2 while Jonathan Van Eaton pitched the eighth and ninth innings for the Loggers to improve to 1-0.
Tomorrow night’s game is scheduled for 7:05 pm and will determine the South Division First Half Championship.
Tomorrow night 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.
