Madison, Wis. (August 1) – Andrew Beckwith (Coastal Carolina) hoarded a season-high six strikeouts over seven quality innings, Anthony Gonsolin (St. Mary’s College) and Jean Ramirez (Illinois State) each cleared the Warner Park fence and Logan Regnier recorded his third straight multi-hit game as the Madison Mallards (17-11, 37-26) defeated the Wisconsin Woodchucks (10-18, 22-41) by a 6-1 score Saturday night at the Duck Pond. The Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison ‘Big Win’ of the Night enabled Madison to maintain sole possession of second place in the South Division’s second-half and overall standings.
The opener of Madison’s home-and-away series with Wisconsin commenced on a fast note in favor of pitching, with the Woodchucks tallying the game’s only run through three complete innings via a solo home run from Albee Weiss (Cal State Northridge) in the top of the second. The narrative changed swiftly. Gonsolin launched a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth to tie the contest for Madison, followed quickly by a two-run fifth made possible by Ro Coleman’s (Vanderbilt) run scored and Regnier’s RBI single to plate J.J. Gould (Jacksonville). Through five, the Mallards led 3-1.
Madison’s lineup craved more. After watching Beckwith toss a shutout frame in the top of the sixth, Ramirez came through with his leadoff round-tripper to begin the top of the sixth. Coleman then drove home Cameron Frost (Washington State) on a sacrifice fly to center field, after which Gould tallied Madison’s final run on an RBI single to cap the three-run sixth. Beckwith exited after the seventh inning with a season-high six strikeouts and a chance at a winning decision, which Tyler Frohwirth (Minnesota State) granted him with two shutout innings of relief in the eighth and ninth.
“I was feeling good today,” said Beckwith. “I woke up with a smile on my face and I told myself I’m going to try my best to strike some guys out. It’s usually not a controllable thing like that, but Bryce (Carter) and I have just been on the same page the last couple of outings I’ve had. My slider was good, my cutter was my better pitch tonight and my changeup came in late…We just need to keep the run limit to a minimum and our offense just needs to keep hitting,” Beckwith added of Madison’s rotation heading into the stretch run. “We should be good if our pitchers just keep it to a limit.”
With Saturday’s series-opening victory in hand, field manager Donnie Scott and the Mallards will turn their collective attention toward the finale of their home-and-away set with the Woodchucks on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. from Athletic Park. Sterling Sharp (Drury University) is scheduled to receive his first start of the season for the Mallards in the finale. For notes and updates throughout Sunday’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 4:45 p.m.
The Mallards will return to the Duck Pond on Monday, August 3 at 7:05 p.m. against the Alexandria Blue Anchors. Monday’s contest will be Circus World night with live circus entertainment before, during and after the game. For tickets, 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.
