By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Wausau, WI — July 20, 2013. The Madison Mallards (12-7, 33-19) appeared to have Wisconsin Woodchucks (11-7, 24-28) starter Dan Weigel (Bucknell) figured out early Saturday night but managed only two runs after the first inning in a 6-4 loss.
Mallards left fielder Joe McCarthy (Virginia) and catcher Jason Goldstein (Illinois) had RBI singles in the first inning, but the Mallards had that lead quickly erased as the Woodchucks tallied three runs in the bottom half of the inning off of starter Cam Verbeke (Illinois State).
A McCarthy sac fly in the fifth pulled the Mallards within one at 4-3, but the Woodchucks tacked on two more one inning later to put the game away.
Tate Matheny (Missouri State) doubled to lead off the ninth and had Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) knock him in on a sac fly to center two batters later, but Geonte Jackson (San Jacinto CC) struck out swinging to end the contest.
Weigel ended up throwing six innings and scattered seven hits while giving up three runs (all earned). He didn’t issue any free passes and struck out four.
Verbeke settled into a groove after the first two innings and ended up going 5.1 innings. He allowed five runs (all earned) on seven hits but was tagged with the loss and drops to 5-2. He walked just one and struck out three.
Ben Neumann (Northern Illinois) relieved Verbeke in the sixth and remained in the game through the seventh. He allowed one run (earned) on three hits. Shawn Hunter (Oklahoma State) allowed one hit and struck out two in the eighth.
Woodchucks closer Max Ising (Creighton) recorded his seventh save of the season by pitching a one-hit ninth.
Leading the way at the plate for the Mallards was Matheny and Goldstein. Matheny finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored while Goldstein knocked in a run while also going 2-for-4. It was Goldstein’s 12th RBI of the season.
Matt Tellor (SE Missouri) knocked in his 39th, 40th and 41st RBIs on the night for the Woodchucks and is now just five back from Drew Weeks’ (North Florida) total for the Northwoods League lead in that category.
The Mallards close out the two-game series against the Woodchucks in Wausau on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 pm.
The Mallards will return home on Thursday, July 25th after the All-Star Break for a 7:05 pm game against the Battle Creek Bombers. The ZOOperstars will be providing in-game entertainment. Christmas in July will feature Waylan St. and the Magic Elves and a Santa Maynard Bobblehead Giveaway.
The Madison Mallards are your Northwoods League South Division First Half Champions! Playoff 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.
