Kenosha, Wis. – The Madison Mallards (0-3, 28-11) dropped their third game in a row to the Kingfish (0-3, 16-21), in a tight battle which was not decided until the last out was made with the potential lead run at the plate in the ninth inning. The game swung back and forth in the late innings, and the Mallards were one break short of winning the ballgame. The game was well-played on both sides and featured three double plays, outstanding pitching, and clutch hitting in the late innings.

The Kingfish led 2-0 going into the seventh inning when a double by Trevor Schwecke (UW Milwaukee) and a long sacrifice fly into the left centerfield alley by Jake Randa (NW Florida State) tied the game 2-2.

Turning Point

With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Carson Ragsdale (South Florida) was one pitch away from getting out of the jam. On the second pay-off 3-2 pitch, Ragsdale sawed off the Kingfish batter on the fists, but a blooper fell into left field just over the head of the Mallards shortstop for two RBIs.

The Mallards threatened in the ninth and had runners on first and second with one out when an unlucky break doomed the Madison rally. A line shot off the bat of Randa, ticketed for right field and an RBI single, found the leg of the tying Mallards baserunner instead between first and second for a dead ball and an automatic out. The last out was made with the tying run at first base to secure the win for the Kingfish.

Top Mallards

• Dustin Saenz (Texas A&M) limited the Kingfish to 6 hits and 2 runs in five and two-thirds innings
• Drew Campbell (Louisville) had four hits including two perfectly placed drag bunts
• Drew Ober (UNC Charlotte) and David Vinsky (Northwood) each added two hits to the Mallards 12-hit attack

Next Up

The Mallards face-off against the Kingfish Saturday night at 6:05 pm and then travel to Battle Creek, Michigan for two games against the Bombers, Sunday (12:05 pm) and Monday (10:05 am). The four-game road swing will be the Mallards longest of the second half. With their 28-8 first-half record, the Mallards have clinched home field advantage for game one of the play-offs on Monday August 13. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 10 at 9:00 am.

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The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in 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.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Mallards as your favorite team.