Madison, Wis. – The Madison Mallards (1-1) fell 3-1 to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (1-1) in the second game of the 2018 season on Wednesday night at Warner Park. The Mallards pitching staff held the Rafters to only six hits but the offense could not come up with timely hits to put runs on the scoreboard.

In his Mallard debut, starter Dalton Wiggins (Marrieta) lasted 5.0 innings and allowed two runs, both of which were unearned. At the plate, the Mallards were led by second baseman Trevor Schwecke (UW-Milwaukee) who crushed a solo shot in the sixth inning to give the Mallards their lone run.

 Turning Point

Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth, the Mallards sparked a potential rally when Jesse Forestell (Western Michigan) led off the frame with a double to the right field wall. Nick Schrader (UW Whitewater) delivered a perfect sacrifice bunt and Forestell stood on third with one down.

However, Rafters reliever Mason McReaken sat Schwecke down on strikes and induced an inning-ending popup two batters later, stranding Forestell at third and preserving the one-run Rapids advantage. The Rafters went on to add an insurance run in the ninth and McReaken held the Mallards scoreless to earn his first save of the season.

 Top Mallards

 

• Trevor Schwecke’s solo shot in the sixth pulled the Mallards within one and the Mallards second baseman also ripped a single in the fourth inning. His knocks were his first in a Mallards uniform.

 

• Catcher Jesse Forestell had an efficient night at the plate as he went 1-for-2 with a double and also drew a walk.

 

• Reliever Brian Morell (Notre Dame) worked a pair of scoreless innings, keeping the Mallards within one during the middle innings. Morrell struck out one and allowed only one walk and one hit.

 

Up Next

Tomorrow night the Mallards hit the road for the first time in 2018 as they travel to Green Bay to take on the Bullfrogs at 7:05 PM. Madison will play a pair in Green Bay before facing the Dock Spiders in Fond du Lac on Saturday. The squad returns home on Sunday, June 3 for the second game of the two-game set with the Dock Spiders. The 1:05 PM game at the Duck Pond features Valpak Night with a Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal to throw on the field post-game. For more Mallards coverage and to purchase tickets, visit mallardsbaseball.com.

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 The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.mallardsbaseball.comor download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Mallards as your favorite team.