Madison, Wis. (July 27) – Nate Hoffmann (Middle Tennessee State) tabbed his fourth winning decision, Cameron Frost (Washington State) socked his fifth home run and Mike Kaelin (Buffalo) notched his eighth save of the summer as the Madison Mallards (14-10, 34-25) grabbed a key 3-2 victory over the Kalamazoo Growlers (6-17, 14-45) Monday night at Homer Stryker Field. The Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison ‘Big Win’ of the Night guaranteed field manager Donnie Scott and the Mallards would remain in third place in the South Division’s second-half standings heading into Tuesday’s finale.
Madison’s lineup jumped on Kalamazoo starting pitcher Josh Alberius (Arkansas) early, plating a run in the top of the first inning courtesy of Jean Ramirez’s (Illinois State) single to bring home Anthony Gonsolin (St. Mary’s College) to manufacture the game’s first lead. The Mallards struck again in the top half of the second frame thanks to J.J. Gould’s (Jacksonville) ground-out, plating Frost and giving Hoffmann a 2-0 lead to work with. The 6-foot-2 right hander proceeded to allow no runs across 5.2 innings for the Mallards, who maintained their 2-0 lead heading into the ninth.
After a scoreless bottom-of-the-eighth on the mound from Kaelin, the Mallards tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth thanks to Frost’s home run laced over the left field wall – his first round-tripper since July 1 against Kalamazoo – which capped a 2-for-4 night with two runs scored and one driven in for Madison’s centerfielder. Alex Gosser’s (Arkansas) two-run home run off Kaelin in the bottom of the ninth provided a late spark for the Growlers, though Kaelin recovered quickly to retire the side en route to the victory, which in ceased Madison’s brief three-game losing streak.
With the key victory in hand, Scott and the Mallards will redirect their collective attention toward Tuesday’s series finale with the Growlers, which is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT at Homer Stryker Field. For notes and updates throughout tomorrow’s contest, follow the Mallards on Twitter at @MadisonMallards or tune in to 100.5 FM ESPN Madison’s comprehensive play-by-play coverage beginning at 5:45 p.m. CT leading up to first pitch.
Field manager Donnie Scott and the Mallards will make their return to the Duck Pond this coming Saturday, August 1 against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (10-11, 22-34). This Saturday’s matchup will feature The Diamond Center Diamond Dig post-game, ice-cream scoop giveaway for fans in attendance as well as a free Kids Clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the Warner Park field, presented in part by Zimbrick-Honda. For tickets to the game or inquiries regarding Saturday’s Kids Clinic, call the Mallards Ticket Office at 608-246-4277 or visit www.MallardsBaseball.com for more information.
###
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.
