Having won last night handily against the Kalamazoo Growlers (24-18, 3-3) the Madison Mallards (26-16, 3-3) led early but ultimately fell by a final score of 5-3 on Monday evening at Homer Stryker Field.
With Heath Renz (UW-Whitewater) making the start on the mound, the Mallards and Growlers battled through a pitcher’s duel, as it was 1-0 Growlers through three innings. Renz was great in his seventh start of the season, as he retired the Growlers in order in the bottom of the first inning. Renz picked up right where Mitchell Kilkenny (Texas A&M) left off yesterday; challenging a lineup that features three Northwoods League allstars. Renz allowed only two hits in his five innings of work, while striking out three Growlers.
It was 1-0 Growlers heading into the fourth inning, when Nico Hoerner (Stanford) lined his third triple of the season into left center field. The very next batter, Zach Jarrett (UNC-Charlotte) tallied his team leading 33rd RBI of the season with a ground out to second to tie the score at one.
Cameron Frost (Washington St.) led the fifth inning off with a solo home run to left field to give the Mallards a 2-1 lead. It was his third home run of the season, and first since launching a home run in Wausau back on June 13th.
After Zach Jarrett tripled in the top of the sixth inning, Bryce Carter (Stanford) continued his recent hot streak at the plate with an RBI single to give the Mallards a 3-1 lead.
Kalamazoo would tie the score in the seventh inning with a 2-run home run, and take the lead with a 2-run eighth. The Mallards were retired in order in the top half of the ninth inning. With the loss, the Mallards split the two game series in Kalamazoo and have now split the first four contests against the Growlers this season.
The Mallards will return home tomorrow night as they play host to the Kenosha Kingfish for the first time this season. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Tomorrow will feature a Zimbrick Honda Lego giveaway and is Agriculture Appreciation Night and South Central Library System 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 Nooutrthwoods 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.
