By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — August 3, 2013. La Crosse Loggers (16-11, 37-25) starter Josh Frye (Long Beach State) allowed just four hits and didn’t allow a runner to reach third base Saturday night in a 4-0 win over the Madison Mallards (16-13, 37-25).
The loss is the fifth-straight for the Mallards and wraps up a nine-game home stand.
Joe McCarthy (Virginia) doubled down the right field line in the first, Geonte Jackson (San Jacinto CC) reached second in the fifth after reaching on a fielder’s choice and advancing on a wild pitch and Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State) reached second in the ninth after singling and advancing on an error. Those would be the farthest the Mallards would make it on the base paths in a dominant effort from the junior from Long Beach State.
The other three Mallards hits came in the fifth on a Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) single, in the eighth on a Ryan McShane (Madison College) single and in the ninth on a Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State) infield single.
Frye needed 105 pitches and walked two while striking out seven on the night.
The Loggers tallied two runs off of Mallards starter Cam Verbeke (Illinois State). Third baseman Chris Keck (UCLA) singled home center fielder Johnny Bekakis (Long Beach State) in the third while first baseman Michael Katz (William & Mary) hit a solo shot to left in the fifth.
Verbeke went five innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits but walked five and struck out three. He took the loss and drops to 5-4.
Designated hitter Bobby Juan (Minnesota) knocked home Katz in the seventh off of Mallards reliever Joe Claver (Illinois State) and second baseman Kevin Zak (Grand Valley State) hit Eric Toole (Iowa)—who doubled earlier in the inning—home on a single to left in the eighth off of Omar Ugarte (Louisiana Tech).
The Loggers tallied 10 hits on the night and were led by Toole’s 3-for-3 effort. He walked twice and scored a run. Katz and Keck were the two other Loggers with multiple hits on the night. Katz finished 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and two runs scored while Keck went 2-for-3 with two walks and an RBI.
The Mallards hit the road for a six-game road trip starting tomorrow in Wisconsin Rapids. First pitch for that game is at 5:05 pm. They will also travel to Willmar and Mankato during the road trip and will return to the “Duck Pond” on August 10th against Lakeshore for the final two games of the regular season.
Saturday, August 10th is Back to School Night! There will also be a Mallards Trading Card giveaway presented by Charter Communications. Former Major League Baseball All-Star Roy Sievers will also be making an appearance and the United Way Community Connection Night will also be held. Post-game fireworks will be presented by Budweiser.
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.
