FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2022
Zach Linfield
zachl.mallards22@gmail.com
517-292-9112
Mallards Endure First Walk-Off Loss of Season
Madison walked-off by Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday night
Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Mallards were swept in the first of three home-and-home series against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. The Rafters walked off the Mallards in extra innings by a score of 4-3.
Dan Wright got the start for the Ducks in his fourth appearance of the season, entering with a league leading three wins amongst starting pitchers. The Mallards were scored on to begin the game for a fifth consecutive contest in the 1st inning when Rafters’ first baseman Brendan Bobo looped a single into right field with a runner at first. Mallards’ outfielder Scott Shaw misjudged the roll for error number one on the play. Error number two occurred on the relay throw to the plate from Dayne Leonard. Following the lone 1st inning run, a pitchers duel ensued between Wright and Wisconsin Rapids’ Xavier Rivas. The Rafters’ southpaw struck out seven of the twelve batters he faced in his second start against the Mallards. In the first start against Madison in early June, he punched out eight batters. Wright (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) settled in nicely after the 1st inning as he set his collegiate high in strikeouts (10).
The Mallards were quiet until the 5th inning when Leonard and Shaw reached base to begin the frame. Jaxson Crull slapped a groundout to score Leonard to tie the game and with two outs in the inning, the double steal worked to perfection. Noah Smith, who was hit by the pitch in his at-bat, took off for second and when Rafters’ catcher Levi Jensen fired to second, Shaw came home to score to claim the lead. Wisconsin Rapids was able to knot the game in the bottom of the 7th against reliever Sam Vomhof. The game remained at 2-2, even after a bases loaded bottom of the 9th inning.
In just the second extra inning game of the season for the Mallards, the Ducks were able to put themselves in front with the extra runner scoring on a Crull sacrifice fly. Bryce Woody came out for his second inning of work in the bottom of the 10th. With the extra runner at third base following a groundout, Woody plunked Bobo with a fastball to put the game-winning run aboard for Rafters’ designated hitter Jacob Igawa. After Bobo freely snags second base, Igawa took a hanging slider and shot it back up the middle to walk-off the Mallards and put Wisconsin Rapids at 17-2.
The Mallards start another home-and-home series beginning tomorrow for a Father’s Day matchup with Fond du Lac. First pitch from Warner Park is slated for 1:05 PM. Northwoods League coverage can be found under the Live Action tab on the Northwoods League website.
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The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 28th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 280 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.greenbayrockers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rockers as your favorite team.
