The Madison Mallards (25-14) lost 9-7 to the Wisconsin Woodchucks (19-20) on Friday at Athletic Park. Brandon Seltzer (Palm Beach Atlantic) smoked a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Woodchucks the win. It was Seltzer’s fifth home run of the season. The Mallards have lost three games in a row and begin the second half of the 2019 season 0-3.

After a few scoreless innings to begin, both teams got their offenses rolling in the third. Madison jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top half of the frame. With two runners on, EJ Ranel (Lenoir-Rhyne) doubled to left field to plate the first run of the game before a Woodchuck error allowed a second to score.

Then, a sacrifice fly from Justice Bigbie (Western Carolina) put the Mallards ahead 3-0. Two batters later, Logan Michaels (Virginia) ripped an RBI single to increase Madison’s lead to four runs.

The Woodchucks loaded the bases with two out in the third inning. Alec Arnone (UC-Riverside) delivered a bases-clearing single and slimmed the Mallards’ lead to 4-3.

Alejandro Gonzales (Waldorf University) lined an RBI single in the sixth inning for the Woodchucks to tie the game at 4-4.

In the seventh, the division foes exchanged more runs. The middle of Madison’s order delivered three-consecutive RBIs to give the Mallards a 7-4 lead. Andre Nnebe smoked an RBI single before a sacrifice fly from Michaels. The scoring closed on an RBI single from Drew Williams (San Jose State)

Byron Murray (Lynn University) roped a pinch-hit RBI double in the bottom of the seventh to cut the Mallard lead to 7-5.

In the ninth, the Mallards were one out away from escaping with a victory before Seltzer’s grand slam sailed over the wall in left field to give the ‘Chucks a walk-off win.

Nick Morales (San Jose State) gave up the grand slam and took the loss for the Mallards. Wisconsin reliever Tom Ambrosino (Adelphi University) earned the win for the Woodchucks.

Turning Point

Morales escaped a jam in the eighth with three-consecutive strikeouts. Then, in the ninth, picked up his fifth strikeout when the bases were loaded and inched the Mallards closer to a victory. However, a few pitches later, Seltzer crushed his grand slam and ended the night.

Top Mallards

• Ranel paced the offense with a 3-for-4 night, highlighted by two doubles. He also picked up an RBI and scored two of the seven Madison runs.
• Michaels ended the game 1-for-4 at the plate, but was the only Mallard to record multiple RBI. He collected two and boosted his season total to 19 RBI.
• Lowell Schipper (Richmond) gave the Mallards another strong start on the mound. The right-hander crafted five innings and did not yield an earned run. He gave up four hits.

Next Up

The Mallards return to Warner Park after an eight-game road swing and close their series with the Woodchucks. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. at the Duck Pond on Saturday. After the game, fans can enjoy a post-game concert by Run Forrest Run presented by MGE. Following the concert, there will we post-game fireworks presented by Pepsi. It is also a Wisconsin Ticket Special night. For details, fans are encouraged to check www.mallardsbaseball.com. Hear every pitch of the 2019 Mallards’ season live on The Zone, 96.7 FM and 1670 AM.