Published On: August 6th, 2018

Mallards Complete Comeback with Walk-off Win

After trailing 7-0, Madison defeats Kalamazoo 8-7

Madison, Wis. – The Madison Mallards (18-13, 46-21) stormed back to win 8-7 in walk-off fashion over the Kalamazoo Growlers (16-16, 40-24) on Monday night in Warner Park. After the Growlers built an early 7-0 lead, the Mallards battled back with eight unanswered runs to earn the victory in 11 innings. Jesse Forestell (Western Michigan) was the star in the thrilling victory, delivering a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth and winning the game with a walk-off single in the 11thinning.

 

Turning Point

After the Growlers pulled ahead 7-0 by the top of the fifth, the Mallards were able to climb back into the ballgame in the bottom of the inning, posting runs on RBI knocks by David Vinsky (Northwood) and Nick Gile (Madison College). The Mallards rally came with two outs in the frame and began with a Trevor Schwecke (UW-Milwaukee) walk after a tedious at bat.

Trailing 7-4 in the ninth, the Mallards needed a rally to keep the game alive. Madison led off the bottom of the ninth with walks drawn by Tyler Plantier (Richmond) and David Vinsky. A batter later, Trevor Boone (Oklahoma State) walked to load the bases with one out. With the tying run on first, Jesse Forestell ripped a line drive to centerfield that landed just in front of an outspread Ivan Johnson. The ball rolled past the Kalamazoo centerfielder and two runs scored. The Mallards pulled within a run, setting the stage for Garrett Kueber (Austin Peay) after a walk that loaded the bases once again. Kueber then delivered a game-tying single into left field. The Growlers bounced back to escape the inning and keep the game alive, forcing Schwecke to ground in to an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded.

In the top of the tenth, with the go-ahead run stationed on third base, Kueber made a clutch backhand play deep in the hole on the left side and threw to second for an inning-ending force-out. The smooth 6-4 fielder’s choice kept the game tied.

An inning later, the Mallards put runners on first and second after Vinsky reached on an error and Boone walked. With the winning run on second with nobody out, Jesse Forestell blooped a game-winning single into centerfield to end the game and cap the huge Madison comeback.

Top Mallards

  • Catcher Jesse Forestell went 2-for-5 at the plate and delivered three huge RBIs in the late innings. Forestell was also a force behind the plate, throwing out a pair of Growlers attempting to steal.
  • Infielder Nick Gile went 1-for-5 at the plate and knocked in a pair of runs to pull the Mallards within three in the fifth inning. Gile also drew a walk, reached on an error, and scored the winning run in the bottom of the 11th.
  • First baseman David Vinsky also went 1-for-4 while picking up and RBI, scoring a run and drawing a walk.
  • Out of the Mallards bullpen, Jonah Smith (Creighton), Nicholes Morales (San Jose State) and Alex Reyes (New Mexico State) all kept the Growlers off of the board. Smith worked 2.1 scoreless frames while Morales tossed 3.0 of one-hit ball. Finally, Reyes entered in the 11thinning and kept the Growlers off of the board, earning the win after the walk-off knock by Forestell.

Next Up

Tomorrow, Warner Park plays host to the 2018 Northwoods League Major League Dreams Showcase. Eight Mallards will participate in the festivities, taking part in a workout in front of MLB scouts before a pair of games featuring the NWL’s best. Game one will get underway at 4:05 PM, featuring two Mallards players, and game two, which features six Mallards players, starts at 7:35 PM. For tickets and more information visit mallardsbaseball.com. Make sure to catch every Mallards game on The Zone, 1670 AM and 96.7 FM.

 

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The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate 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 170 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM).  All league games are viewable live via theNorthwoods League portal. For more information, visitwww.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.

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