By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — August 1, 2013. Both the Madison Mallards (16-11, 37-23) and the Willmar Stingers (11-13, 34-25) had no trouble scoring runs early Thursday afternoon at the ‘Duck Pond,’ but a pair of runs by the Stingers in the top of the seventh and another in the ninth was enough to help them come out on top 10-7.
Willmar scored five runs and batted around in the second and scored two more in the third while the Mallards scored a pair in the first, three in the second and another in the third to give the Stingers a 7-6 lead after three.
Drew Weeks (North Florida) tied things at seven in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single that scored John LaPrise (Virginia) but the Stingers would respond in the next half inning with a pair of runs. Jack Livingston (Northwestern) walked Stingers leadoff batter Tyler Leffler (Bradley) to lead off the inning and Danny Brennan (St. Louis) followed up with a double to put runners on second and third with no outs. Zack Tillery (Florida Gulf Coast) then hit an RBI single and right fielder Michael Suchy (Florida Gulf Coast) knocked in another run on a single two batters later.
Willmar’s Marc Flores (Hawaii), who leads the Northwoods League in RBIs, knocked home an insurance run in the ninth on a fielder’s choice to make it 10-7.
Mallards leadoff hitter Kyle Ruchim (Northwestern) reached third in the eighth after leading off the inning with a walk but Weeks struck out swinging to end the inning. The Mallards then got the first two runners on in the ninth against Stingers closer Cody Hughes (Montevallo) but failed to push a run across.
Mallards starter Taylore Cherry (North Carolina) faced just four batters in the first but had to exit after throwing more than 35 pitches in the second. Stingers catcher Brian Olson (Seattle University) started the scoring in the inning by crushing a three-run shot to left center. The Stingers then recorded five straight singles to round out the scoring in the inning.
The Mallards also knocked out the opposing starter after just two innings by scoring five runs off of Andrew Woek (NC State). Weeks and Tate Matheny (Missouri State) knocked in runs in the first while Joe McCarthy (Virginia) hit an RBI double in the second and Matheny pushed across another run with a single.
Weeks snapped a four-game RBI-less streak in the game and finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. Matheny also finished 3-for-5 and knocked in a pair of runs as well.
Brennan and Tillery recorded three hits apiece for the Stingers. Brennan went 3-for-5 with a double and three runs scored while Tillery had two RBIs and a walk.
Livingston took the loss for the Mallards and falls to 1-1 on the season.
The Mallards will start a two-game series against the La Crosse Loggers Friday night at 7:05 pm. That game will be the eighth home game of a nine-game stand at the “Duck Pond.”
Friday night will be Hot Sauce Appreciation Night and there will be hot sauce samples presented by Dashelito’s Hot Sauce. The ZOOperstars will make another appearance at the “Duck Pond” and will be presented by The Payroll Company. It will also be the Road Home Community Connection Night.
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.
