Madison, Wis. – The Madison Mallards (7-3) were defeated by the Willmar Stingers (5-4) by a final mark of 5-1 Friday evening at the Duck Pond. Despite the loss, the Mallards retained sole possession of first place in the Northwoods League’s South Division.

Cameron Frost (Washington State) led Madison’s offense Friday night, going 2-for-4 with a double and run driven in, while Jonathan Quintana (Barry University) went 1-for-3 with a run scored and reached base via hit-by-pitch. Quintana has now reached base safely in each of his seven games this season.

Nick Gruener (Harvard) received the losing decision on the mound for Madison, conceding four runs – three earned — on six hits, two walks and a pair of strikeouts. Andrew Beckwith (Coastal Carolina) made his Mallards debut out of the bullpen, allowing neither a hit nor run between the seventh and eighth innings.

With their second home loss of the season in the rear view mirror, Mallards field manager Donnie Scott will direct his club’s attention toward game two of their home set with Willmar. First pitch for Saturday’s series finale is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. from the Duck Pond.

###

The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.MallardsBaseball.com