Kenosha, Wis. – The Madison Mallards (0-4, 28-12) lost to the Kingfish (4-0, 17-21) for their fourth defeat in a row on a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The home run was in and out of the outstretched glove of Jake Randa (NW Florida State) over the right field fence.
The Mallards fought back twice from deficits. Madison was down 5-0 in the first inning, but tied the game 5-5 in the top of the fifth inning. They came back again from a 6-5 score with a single run in the eighth inning to tie the game 6-6.
Turning Point
With one out and the bases empty in the bottom of the ninth inning, the same Kenosha player – Mike Madej – who got the game winning hit Friday night, ended game two of the series with a home run. The home run ended an amazing stretch by closer Trace Norkus (North Florida), who had not given up a run all season, spanning 15 appearances and 17 innings over the first 40 games of the summer.
Top Mallards
- Drew Campbell (Louisville) had two more hits for six in the series, and made a magnificent running catch in centerfield in the bottom of the sixth inning with his back to the plate
- Andrew Baker (Florida) pitched two and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief early to allow the Mallards offense to get the team back in the game
- Tyler Plantier (Richmond) had two hits including a two-RBI two-out single in the fifth inning which narrowed the Kingfish lead to 5-4
- Trevor Schwecke (UW Milwaukee) had two hits, an RBI, scored two runs, stole a base, and made two outstanding plays at second base to keep Kenosha runs off the scoreboard
Next Up
The Mallards board a 5:30 am bus for Battle Creek on Sunday morning to complete their road trip against the Bombers. Sunday’s game is a 12:05 pm (CST) first pitch, and Monday’s finale will be an early 10:05 am (CST) start time. Madison returns to Warner Park Tuesday night July 10 at 7:05 pm to host the Kenosha Kingfish in a two-game series. Tuesday night will be A1 Furniture & Mattress Princess Night. 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.