Green Bay, WI – June 25, 2016. With the Madison Mallards (15-10) needing a big performance from the pitching staff, Frank German (North Florida) and the bullpen combined to throw a 2-hitter in the 9-1 rout over the Green Bay Bullfrogs (9-16) on Saturday night.
It didn’t take long for the Mallards to strike first, as they took a 1-0 lead just three batters into the game. Nico Hoerner (Stanford) singled on the very first pitch of the game, and Matt McCann (Fairleigh Dickinson) followed it two pitches later with a single of his own. Sam Armstrong (Jacksonville University) then ripped a double to right field to score Hoerner, as the Mallards set the tempo early in Green Bay.
The 1-0 lead held up thanks to Frank German’s (North Florida) brilliance on the mound. After walking the very first batter he faced, he quickly settled down and was dominant for the Mallards. He controlled the strike zone with his fastball and used his breaking ball early in counts to keep the Bullfrogs guessing for the majority of the night. His final line was indicative of his dominance, as he went 5 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits and 1 earned run while striking out four batters.
It remained 1-0 until the top of the 5th inning, when Nate Palace (Valparaiso) delivered a timely 2-out double off the wall to push the lead to 3-0.
Zach Jarrett (UNC-Charlotte) would deliver in the top of the sixth, as he launched his fourth home run of the season deep to left field as the Mallards opened up a 5-0 lead.
The play of the night, however, happened in the bottom of the sixth. With the Bullfrogs looking to make a late inning rally, they loaded the bases with two outs as they trailed just 5-1. As the Bullfrogs third basemen ripped a liner to left field, Zach Jarrett made a highlight reel worthy diving catch to end the frame as momentum swung back to the side of the Mallards.
Aside from the scare in the bottom of the sixth, the Mallards bullpen put forth their finest effort of the season. Luke Shilling (Illinois) and Logan Sherer (UNC-Charlotte) combined to throw 3 2/3 innings of no hit baseball, as they kept the Bullfrogs offense at bay.
With the bullpen rolling, the Mallards continued to pour it on offensively. They put their first three batters onboard in the 7th, and with the bases loaded Cameron Frost (Washington St.) blooped a single down the right field line as the Mallards blew the game open. Zach Jarrett followed Frost’s RBI single with a sacrifice fly of his own for his third RBI of the night.
Joe Stefanki (San Jose St.) had another fine night defensively for the Mallards, and continued his recent surge at the plate. He finished the night 2-5 with 2 RBI’s, as he scored Matt Vierling (Notre Dame) in the 9th inning to give the Mallards the 9-1 lead, which they held on to win by.
The Mallards will be in action again tomorrow night, as they finish the series in Green Bay at 4:05. The Mallards will return home on Wednesday night in the second game of a double header as they take on the Rockford Rivets at 7:05 at the Duck Pond. It’s 80’s Night with a tribute to Prince. Mullet Night. Get 1$ off a hot dog for every inch of your authentic mullet. Do the math and we’ll pay you to eat a hot dog! Hot Dog appreciation Night.
The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball, 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 150 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.mallardsbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and set the Mallards as your favorite team.
