By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Eau Claire, WI — July 23, 2013. It was nearly all North Division All Stars after Mallards outfielder Drew Weeks (North Florida) hit a two-run single to tie it at four in the bottom of the second Tuesday night in a 7-5 North victory during the 2013 Northwoods League All Star Game.
The next time the South would push across the run would be in the bottom of the ninth. John LaPrise (Virginia) walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second after a base hit before being knocked in by Lakeshore’s Mike Hollenbeck (Illinois State) with one out to pull within 7-5.
Waterloo’s Adam Dian (Temple) then struck out Lakeshore’s Ryan Krill (Michigan State) before Rochester’s Carter Burgess (Sam Houston) made a diving stop up the middle to get the force at two to end it. Dian, who has six saves with Waterloo so far this season, recorded the save on the night.
Burgess went 2-for-5 with two runs and an RBI at the plate and was named the game’s MVP.
Battle Creek’s Hunter Devall (LSU) pitched the fourth and allowed one run (unearned) on one hit and was tagged with the loss while Thunder Bay’s Zach Thiac (Nicholls State) got the win.
Willmar’s Michael Suchy (Florida Gulf Coast) had an RBI double in the fourth and Mankato’s Matt Wollenzin (Austin Peay) knocked in two with a double in the sixth to make it 7-4 in favor of the North.
Mallards starter Luke Staub (George Washington) struck out two in a 1-2-3 first inning but walked a batter and allowed a two-run home run to Willmar’s Marc Flores (Hawaii) one batter later. He would record two more outs before being replaced by Lakeshore’s Tyler Thicke (UW-Milwaukee).
Mallards infielder John LaPrise (Virginia) hit in the No. 2 spot for the South and went 0-for-4 with a run. He hit a chopper over the mound with a runner on first for a fielder’s choice in the first, struck out swinging, flew out to center, tapped a grounder to second and walked in his last plate appearance in the bottom of the ninth.
Weeks was right behind him in the order and went 2-for-3 before being replaced. He hit a line-drive single up the middle on a 1-2 count in the first, hit his two-RBI single in the second and flew out to right in his last at-bat.
Mallards reliever Sam Forkert (Marian) came on in the seventh and worked around a walk and a base hit to pitch a scoreless inning.
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.
