By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — July 26, 2013. The Battle Creek Bombers (7-14, 21-34) had 10 runs and 11 hits before the Madison Mallards (14-8, 35-20) even had a base runner Friday night but allowed the Mallards to pull within two and ultimately won 11-9.
The Bombers sent 14 to the plate in an eight-run fourth inning and all of the runs came with two outs.
The Mallards, however, had simply dug themselves into too deep of a hole. They pulled within two by scoring a pair in the seventh and four in the eighth.
Two runs came across for the Mallards on a two-run single from Tate Matheny (Missouri State) in the bottom of the seventh while four more came in the eighth on a two-run double from Erik Forgione (Washington) and another two-run single from Matheny.
Bombers reliever Gabe Berman (Western Michigan) came on in the ninth and allowed a pair of singles but got Luke Meeteer (UW-Milwaukee) to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to end it.
Mallards starter Cam Verbeke (Illinois State) allowed two runs (both earned) on five hits through three innings before being replaced by newcomer Omar Ugarte (Louisiana Tech). The 5’10” righty recorded just two outs before being pulled and allowed six runs (all earned) on four hits and walked two.
Another newcomer in Joe Claver (Illinois State) then came in but couldn’t record an out and walked three before being replaced by Corey Fischer (Madison College), who later got out of the inning.
The Mallards issued six free passes in the fourth and three Bombers batters reached base twice, including left fielder Jared Foster (LSU), who doubled and hit a two-run single in the inning.
Shawn Hunter (Oklahoma State) pitched the eighth and ninth innings and faced the minimum while striking out the side in the ninth.
Leading the way for the Bombers was Rouric Bridgewater (Arizona State) and Jared Foster (LSU). Bridgewater went 3-for-4 while Foster finished 3-for-5. Tommy Mirabell (Kansas) scored three runs for the Bombers and was walked four times on the night.
Stewart and Matheny led the Mallards by knocking in two runs apiece. Matheny finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs while Stewart went 2-for-5. Meeteer also had a pair of doubles and Erik Forgione (Washington) went 1-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and two RBIs.
The Mallards will play the final game of their three-game set against the Bombers Saturday at the “Duck Pond.” First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm.
The Charter Communications Wrestling Night will take place tomorrow and WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley will make a special appearance! There will also be a TDS Thundersticks giveaway and the Dane County Rape Crisis Center Community Connection Night will also be held.
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.
