Published On: June 7th, 2018

The Madison Mallards (7-3) stayed a game ahead of the pack in the South Division with an exciting 3-2 victory over the Woodchucks (4-6), and a sweep of the two-game series.  Neither team led by more than one run in a game which featured several web gems on both sides.

The Woodchucks scored first in the bottom of the second but Tyler Plantier (Richmond) tied it 1-1 in the third with a mammoth home run over the left field fence. Another home run to the deepest part of the ballpark in left centerfield by Jayce McLean (North Dakota State) deadlocked the game in the top of the sixth inning. From there the Mallard bullpen took over, putting three zeros on the board to set the stage for the winning rally.  New Mallards Leon Hunter (North Carolina A&T) and Nicholas Morales (San Jose State) ended the game throwing four shutdown innings out of the pen.

Turning Point

With the score still tied at 2-2 in the ninth inning, the Mallards loaded the bases with two outs via a hit batsman and two walks. David Vinsky (Northwood) drove in the winning run, legging out a single to the left side, just beating the throw to first base on a bang-bang play.  Garrett Kueber (Austin Peay) scored the go-ahead run. Morales struck out four in two innings for the win, and Jake Randa (Northwest Florida State) ended the game with an outstanding running catch in foul territory down the right field line.

Top Mallards

  • Tyler Plantier launched his third home run which leads the Northwoods League.
  • Ricardo Garcia (Webber International) pitched the first five innings, giving up just two runs, and stranding seven Woodchucks on the basepaths.
  • Jake Blomgren (Michigan) reached base three times, and has gotten on base six time in his first eight opportunities as a Mallard.

Next Up

A big weekend is scheduled at the Duck Pond, starting Friday, June 8.  The Mallards host the Battle Creek Bombers Friday at 7:05 PM featuring the Chris Farley bobblehead giveaway, presented by Dentistry for Madison: Dr. Jay Hazen. Saturday will feature the first fireworks show of the season, presented by Budweiser. The homestand concludes on Sunday with the Festival Foods TJ Watt bobblehead giveaway. For tickets and more information visit mallardsbaseball.com.

 

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