Madison, WI – August 5th, 2016. After winning game one of the doubleheader by a score of 8-2, the Mallards (17-11, 40-24), beat the Kenosha Kingfish (6-22, 22-42) 7-2 on Friday, finishing off Kenosha in the nightcap. The victory gave Madison the season sweep of Kenosha, winning all eight matchups between the two South division foes.
The majority of the scoring would take place in the very first frame, with the Mallards knocking Kenosha starter Grant Spranger (Southeastern CC) out of the game after recording only a single out. Spranger would walk four and allow four hits in the frame, giving up six runs in his outing. The inning was highlighted by a Zach Jarrett (UNC-Charlotte) two-RBI single, as the cleanup hitter was able to find a gap and bring home a pair. When it was all said and done, the Mallards ended the inning with a 6-0 advantage.
Frank German (North Florida) was able to take the support from his offense and run with it, turning in a solid performance on the hill. The right-hander allowed two unearned runs on six hits in five frames, striking out seven in the process. German was crafty from the beginning, working out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the opening frame.
“I started to think that getting out of the inning with allowing only two runs wouldn’t be bad in that situation,” said German. “Then you start to get a few guys out and realize that you have to get out of the inning unscathed. You just have to.”
With his stellar start, German picked up the win, his fifth of the year. Grant Spranger took the loss, with his previously 1.83 ERA skyrocketing to 4.05.
Game one of the doubleheader saw an outstanding outing from pitcher Mike Byrne (Florida), who struck out 14 across six innings of work. The mark establishes a season-high for any Mallards pitcher.
“I didn’t realize how many strikeouts I had until after the game,” said Byrne. “I knew I was going to finish with a few after striking out the side in the first, but I didn’t have an exact number.”
The first contest was also the home debut of Jordan Joseph (St. Cloud State), who started the game at shortstop. He ripped a double in his first at-bat, reflecting on how awesome the experience was.
“There’s no better feeling than performing in front of that many people,” said Joseph. “That was the best crowd I’ve ever played in front of.”
The Mallards will return to the Duck Pond at Warner Park on Monday, August 8th, to take on the Willmar Stingers at 7:05 pm. The game will feature a trading card giveaway and a Dean & St. Mary’s An Apple A Day giveaway. Former 4-time MLB All-Star and 1949 American League Rookie of the Year Roy Sievers will be making an appearance. It will be PITCH Night with postgame catch on the field, followed by premier pilot episode of FOX's new hit show, "PITCH." It will also be Red Wing Night and Dentistry for Madison: Dr. Jay Hazen Star Wars Night. The Mallards will wear Darth Vader themed jerseys to be auctioned off during the game to benefit DAIS.
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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.
