Madison, Wis. (July 26) – Despite Andrew Beckwith’s (Coastal Carolina) fourth quality start (6 IP, ER, 0 BB, 2 K) and another multi-hit game from triple-crown candidate Anthony Gonsolin (St. Mary’s College), field manager Donnie Scott and the Madison Mallards (13-10, 33-25) were edged by the Lakeshore Chinooks (11-16, 28-31) by a score of 2-1 Sunday evening at Kapco Park in Mequon, Wis. It was Madison’s third consecutive loss – and second straight by a one-run margin against the Chinooks – exiting the weekend, slotting the Mallards in third place in the South Division’s second-half standings.
Similar to Saturday’s contest, Sunday’s series finale began on a slow note for both clubs. Neither Madison nor Lakeshore was able to muster a run over the first three innings of play, though the Mallards broke through in the top of the fourth courtesy of Bryce Carter’s (Stanford) run-producing groundout to score Jason Goldstein (Illinois), giving Madison a 1-0 advantage. The Chinooks answered Madison’s score in the home half of the fourth inning, however, as Andrew Shaps plated Doug Kraeger on an RBI single against Beckwith. With four inning of play in the books, the score stood at 1-1.
Two more shutout innings followed for both clubs in the fifth and sixth, respectively, though Lakeshore took advantage with a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth via Mark Kolozsvary’s RBI single to score Shaps. Facing a 2-1 deficit heading into the top of the ninth inning, the Mallards were unable to take advantage of Chris Tschida’s (Western Illinois) single to put a man on base, as J.J. Gould’s (Jacksonville) pinch-hit ground out with two outs clinched Lakeshore’s victory. Brandon White (South Suburban CC) took the loss for Madison, ceding the game-winning run in the seventh.
With the loss behind them, the Mallards will turn their attention toward the next phase in their six-game road swing, which will entail a visit to Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo for the opener of a two-game set with the Growlers on Monday at 6:05 p.m. CT. For notes and updates throughout tomorrow’s contest, follow the Mallards on Twitter @MadisonMallards or tune in to 100.5 FM ESPN Madison’s comprehensive play-by-play coverage beginning at 5:45 p.m.
The Mallards will return to the Duck Pond next Saturday, August 1 against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (10-10, 22-33). Next Saturday will feature The Diamond Center Diamond Dig post-game, ice-cream scoop giveaway as well as a free Kids Clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. presented by Zimbrick-Honda. For tickets or inquiries regarding Saturday’s Kids Clinic, call the Mallards Ticket Office at 608-246-4277 or visit www.MallardsBaseball.com for more information.
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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.
