Willmar, Minnesota – August 6, 2013. Madison Mallards (18-14, 39-26) outfielder Drew Weeks (North Florida) hit what proved to be the game-winning RBI double in the seventh inning and became the Mallards single-season RBI record holder with his 58th RBI. The Mallards held on to win 4-3 against the Willmar Stingers on Tuesday night.
A one hour and 29 minute rain delay in the second inning stopped Mallards starter Taylore Cherry’s (North Carolina) night, but Ben Neumann (Northern Illinois), Jack Livingston (Northwestern), and Danny Sullivan (Davenport) combined to hold the Stingers to just two runs in the final eight innings. Neumann went 4.2 innings and did not give up a run while earning the win, Livingston pitched the seventh and eighth innings and gave up two runs, and Sullivan earned his fourth save of the season by pitching the ninth.
The Mallards scored one run in the second, third, sixth, and seventh innings. Alex Bacon (North Florida) scored on a fielder’s choice by second baseman Erik Forgione (Washington) in the second and left fielder Joe McCarthy was driven home on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Mike Fitzgerald (Illinois State). Bacon scored his second run of the game on a solo home run in the sixth and Weeks knocked in center fielder Anthony Cheky (Michigan State) to round out the Mallards scoring.
Bacon led the Mallards by going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI and Weeks finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. They were the only Mallards that recorded multiple hits.
Stingers starter Jack Hegarty (Bemidji State) was tagged with the loss and gave up three runs on six hits over six innings. Nick Halamandaris (California) led the Stingers offensively by going 2-for-4 with a two-RBI single in the eighth.
The Mallards will remain in Willmar to close out a two-game series with the Stingers on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
The Mallards return home on Saturday, August 10th against the Lakeshore Chinooks for a 6:05 pm game. There will be a Mallards Trading Card Giveaway presented by Charter Communications and it will also be Back to School Night! The United Way Community Connectioin Night will also take place that night and Budweiser will provide post-game fireworks.
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.
