The Madison Mallards (25-12) dropped their first-ever game in Kokomo 10-5 to the Jackrabbits in the start of the second half. The Mallards were narrowly outhit 11-9 but could not come back from behind after the first inning.

The Mallards jumped on the board early in the game. Three batters in, Justice Bigbie (Western Carolina) lined an RBI single to give the Mallards a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

However, Kokomo roared back for four runs in the bottom of the frame. The Jackrabbits tied the game 1-1 on an RBI double from Chase Keng (UT-San Antonio) before taking a 4-1 lead on a three-run home run by Jeff Timko (Eastern Michigan).

In the third, Timko notched his fourth RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly to increase Kokomo’s advantage to 5-1.

The Jackrabbits added a pair of insurance runs in the fourth inning. After an error put runners on second and third Joseph Myers (UC-Davis) lifted a sacrifice fly to plate one run. Then, an RBI groundout from Brandon Chinea (Nova Southeastern) pushed across another, giving Kokomo a comfortable 7-1 cushion.

The Mallards did not go quietly and scored four runs in the eighth inning to cut the Kokomo lead to two runs. Bigbie ripped another RBI single to begin. Later, Andre Nnebe (Santa Clara) drove home a run with a single and another scored on a throwing error during the play. To finish the scoring, Bigbie came in on a wild pitch and made it a tight, 7-5 game.

Nevertheless, Kokomo scratched across three runs in the bottom of the eighth to open another comfortable lead, 10-5. Brandon Chinea (Nova Southeastern) knocked home a pair with a single before scoring himself on a sacrifice fly from Logan Jarvis (Belmont).

Bayden Root (Ohio State) picked up the win for the Jackrabbits after seven and two-thirds dominant innings on the mound. Root cruised through his first six frames and allowed three earned runs during his outing. Mallard starter Dylan Tebrake received the loss after giving up four earned runs in three innings pitched.

Turning Point

In the eighth inning, the Mallards gained momentum and revived their stagnant offense to produce four runs and slim their deficit to two runs. However, Kokomo didn’t flinch under pressure and responded with three runs of its own to create a 10-5 buffer which ultimately held on as the final.

Top Mallards

• Bigbie notched a 3-for-5 day at the plate and picked up two RBI, bringing his total to an NWL-best 39 RBI.
• Nnebe was the lone other Mallard to record multiple hits. The slugger went 2-for-4 and also had an RBI.
• Deylin Miley (Bellarmine) was the only Mallard pitcher to not allow a run during his outing. The right-hander tossed two innings and gave up two hits while striking out three Jackrabbits.

Next Up

The Mallards finish their series with the Jackrabbits on Thursday in Kokomo. First pitch from Kokomo Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. eastern time. Hear every pitch of the 2019 Mallards’ season live on The Zone, 96.7 FM and 1670 AM.