Madison, WI – July 13, 2014. The Madison Mallards (8-5, 26-20) finished a split of their six game home and home series with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (5-6, 17-29) this afternoon, winning by a score of 4-3 at the “Duck Pond” before 6,643.
The Mallards scored three runs in the second inning, the first coming on shortstop Adam Walton’s (Illinois) RBI double to score catcher Matt Thaiss (Virginia). They would go up 3-0 when Trent Higginbothem (North Florida) and Walton came in to score after center fielder Will Krug (Illinois) reached on an error.
The Rafters responded with three of their own in the fourth inning, two runs coming on a single from Rafters designated hitter Tyler Servais (Princeton).
The Mallards then went ahead 4-3 in the seventh on second baseman Robbie Tenerowicz’s (California) sacrifice fly to drive in Walton, who had reached on a single. Walton finished 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.
The win went to Mallards reliever Ben Neumann (Northern Illinois). The lefty tossed two innings in relief, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out three.
Contributing out of the bullpen was Devin Over (Connecticut), who held the Rafters scoreless in the eighth inning. Closer Tim Black (Central Michigan) came on in the ninth, retiring three of the four batters he faced to get his Northwoods League leading 13th save of the year. With his performance today, Black is now the Mallards single season record holder in saves.
Rafters reliever Nolan Blackwood (Memphis) received the loss after giving up the Mallards winning run in the seventh.
The Mallards are off tomorrow and resume play against the Green Bay Bullfrogs in Green Bay on Tuesday at 7:05 pm. The club plays two at Joannes Stadium before returning on Thursday to begin a back-to-back doubleheader at the “Duck Pond” against the Willmar Stingers.
First pitch on Thursday is slated for 4:30 pm. Thursday features Whiplash the Dog Riding Cowboy Monkey presented by The Payroll Company. It is also Spectrum Brands Home & Garden Night with a Spectrum Brands Giveaway before the game.
Mallards single game tickets are on-sale now. To purchase tickets, log on to MallardsBaseball.com, call 608-246-4277, or stop by the Mallards ticket office.
###
The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit MallardsBaseball.com.
