Despite pounding out 12 hits, the Madison Mallards (33-21) suffered an 11-5 loss to the Lakeshore Chinooks (26-28) and were swept in the two-game series at Kapco Park. Both sides had an equal number of hits, but the Mallards ultimately fell after stranding 15 runners on base.
The Mallards started the scoring in the top of the first inning. Logan Michaels (Virginia) ripped an RBI single to put Madison ahead 1-0.
Lakeshore, however, quickly responded in the bottom of the first. Back-to-back RBIs from Daryl Myers (Benedictine College) and Griffin Doersching (Northern Kentucky) scored a pair. Then, a sacrifice fly from Trent Bauer (Western Illinois) opened a 3-1 Chinook lead.
Madison started to scratch back in the second, making it 3-2 on an RBI from JT Mabry (MTSU).
In the bottom of the second, the Chinooks tacked on four more runs. Myers picked up his second RBI of the game before a three-run home run from Doersching extended the Lakeshore lead to 7-2.
The Mallards did not back down and kept producing on offense. Ben Anderson (Georgia) drilled a triple on the first pitch of the third inning. Justice Bigbie (Western Carolina) brought him home with a sacrifice fly. Bigbie picked up another RBI in the fourth and slimmed the deficit to 7-4.
Jake Thompson (Kentucky) lined an RBI single in the fourth inning and boosted Lakeshore’s lead to 8-4.
The Chinooks kept their offense rolling with back-to-back home runs to begin the sixth. Justin Olson (Kentucky) and Ronnie Sweeny III (Minnesota) hit the solo homers and gave Lakeshore a 10-4 cushion.
Mabry laced his third hit of the game, an RBI single in the seventh, to make it a 10-5 contest.
The Chinooks countered with a run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 11-7 on a sacrifice fly from Trenton Wallace (Iowa).
Mallard starter Eliot Turnquist (Madison College) took the loss after giving up three runs in the first inning.
Jarrett Blunt (Iowa Central) earned the win in relief for the Chinooks and Tony Grabowske (Stephen F. Austin) picked up the save after throwing the final 3.1 innings on the mound.
Turning Point
In a 3-2 game, the Chinook offense exploded for four runs in the second inning. Powered by the Doersching home run, Lakeshore expanded the lead to 7-2 which was a large enough margin for the rest of the game.
Top Mallards
- Mabry had his best day of the season at the plate. He finished 4-for-5 and had two RBI while also scoring a run.
- Michaels went 2-for-3 with an RBI and also reached in four of his five plate appearances.
- Bigbie notched a two-RBI game and had two hits. His RBI count is now at a league-high 59 for the summer.
Next Up
The Mallards return to Warner Park for a five-game home stand, beginning with a doubleheader against the Green Bay Booyah on Wednesday. The first game is slated for 12:05 p.m. and is Ho-Chunk Gaming Grandparents Day. Gates will close between games. The nightcap will start at 7:05 p.m. and is Bark in the Park Night at the Duck Pond. Hear every pitch of the 2019 Mallards’ season live on The Zone, 96.7 FM and 1670 AM.
