Madison, WI – August 1, 2016. The Mallards (11-11, 34-24) fell to the Rockford Rivets on Monday afternoon, with an eight-run seventh inning by the Rivets contributing to the defeat. The final score would stand at 10-9, with Madison out-hitting Rockford 20-12.
Rockford would score an unearned run in the top of the first to jump out to an early lead, with Ricardo Ramirez (Illinois-Chicago) reaching on an error. The run would be the only blemish on Madison starter Heath Renz’s (UW-Whitewater) stat line for the contest, allowing no earned runs on two hits in six innings of work.
The Rockford advantage was completely erased in the home half of the stanza. Nelson Maldonado (Florida), Zach Jarrett (UNC-Charlotte) and Cameron Frost (Washington State) all delivered RBI singles to give Madison a 3-1 lead. The two teams would trade zeroes in innings two through six, setting the stage for a wild finish.
After a spectacular outing, Heath Renz was removed prior to the seventh inning, handing the ball over to right-hander Alex Smith (North Florida). After allowing Rockford to cut the lead to 3-2 and loading the bases, Smith would give the ball to manager Donnie Scott with two outs in the frame. The inning would snowball from that point on, as the Rivets scored seven runs on two outs to jump out to a commanding 9-3 lead.
The Mallards made the game exciting in the home half of the eighth and ninth innings, scoring six times off of six hits. Unfortunately for Madison, the Rivets added a tally in the top half of the ninth, using three doubles and a single to extend their lead. The score went final in nine innings, giving Rockford their fourth win over Madison in seven tries.
Rockford starter Zach Aring (St. Joseph’s) earned his third win of the year. The right-hander went seven strong innings, not allowing a run outside of the first frame. Alex Smith took the loss for the Mallards, with Heath Renz going home with the no-decision.
The Mallards had a season-high hit total in the game, hitting safely 20 times. They saw huge performances at the plate out of several players, with seven men recording multi-hit games.
Madison now travels to Rockford to take on the Rivets for the nightcap of this home-and-home doubleheader, with first pitch set for 6:35 pm.
The Mallards will return to the Duck Pond on Thursday, August 4th, to take on the Kenosha Kingfish at 7:05 pm. The game will be The Shoe Box Gary “Big Dog” Breneman bobblehead giveaway. It will also be Zimbrick Honda & Agrace HospiceCare Win the Civic Raffle. The contest will also be the Dentistry for Madison: Dr. Jay Hazen Star Wars Night. The Mallards wear Darth Vader themed jerseys to be auctioned off during the game to benefit DAIS. Tickets are available for purchase by visiting MallardsBaseball.com, calling the Mallards ticket office at 608-246-4277, or stopping in the ticket office at 2920 N Sherman Ave.
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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 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.
