Madison, Wis. (July 28) – Field manager Donnie Scott and the Madison Mallards (15-10, 35-25) earned their second consecutive victory and series sweep of the Kalamazoo Growlers (6-18, 14-46) Tuesday night at Homer Stryker Field, defeating their South Division counterpart by a final score of 6-1. Spencer Goebel (Spring Arbor Univ.) tossed five scoreless innings with just two hits allowed en route to a winning decision in his debut with the Mallards starting rotation, while Jason Goldstein (Illinois) fueled Madison’s lineup in going 4-for-4 with a home run, double and four runs batted in.
The Mallards offense clicked early in Tuesday’s series finale, manufacturing a run in both the first and second innings courtesy of Goldstein’s run-producing double and Ro Coleman’s (Vanderbilt) single to score Chris Tschida (Western Illinois), respectively. Scott’s lineup tacked on two more insurance runs in the road half of the third inning thanks to Goldstein’s second extra-base hit of the contest – a two-run home run to plate himself and Cameron Frost (Washington State). Goebel exited his first start having allowed no runs over five frames, giving the Mallards a 4-0 advantage.
After witnessing the Mallards touch home in the fifth inning and once more in the top of the eighth, the Growlers attempted to ignite a comeback effort late in the affair. John Soteropulos plated Kory Brown on a sacrifice fly to centerfield, trimming Madison’s lead to 6-1 heading into the ninth and final frame. Two more hits in the last half frame at Homer Stryker Field added to Kalamazoo’s late momentum, though Tyler Frohwirth (Minnesota State) was eventually able to close the door through whiffing two hitters in a scoreless ninth, sealing Madison’s 6-1 road victory.
With their second consecutive win in the books, the Mallards will return home to Madison for an off-day on Wednesday in preparation for Thursday’s road opener against the Green Bay Bullfrogs at Joannes Stadium. For notes and updates leading up to Thursday’s 7:05 p.m. first pitch, follow the Mallards on Twitter at @MadisonMallards and tune in to 100.5 FM ESPN Madison’s comprehensive play-by-play coverage of all the action beginning at 6:45 p.m.
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.
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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.
