Mallards Fight for Win in Mequon
Madison erases early deficit to defeat Lakeshore
Mequon, WI – The Mallards rebounded nicely following a blowout loss last night in Wausau with a gritty 9-8 win in Mequon against the Lakeshore Chinooks on Sunday afternoon.
After a scoreless first frame, the Mallards struck paydirt first in the top of the 2nd behind the first Payton Smith triple of the season. In the home half, the Chinooks scored five runs on no hits against Mallards’ starter Kyle Walter and reliever Justin Miller. Walter (1.1 IP, 5 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 2 K) made his first start for Madison on Sunday and had a hard time finding the strike zone as he walked a season high. A combination of five walks, a hit by pitch, and two errors made for a thirty minute half inning which resulted in a 5-1 lead for Lakeshore after two. The Chinooks left five runners on base in the first two innings at the plate. The Mallards slowly crept back into the contest following the long 2nd inning including J.J. Wetherholt’s two-run home run in the top of the 3rd. Wetherholt now has home runs in back to back nights for the Ducks. Smith would drive in the third run of the frame with a fielder’s choice. Wetherholt would plate another run in the 4th with a sacrifice fly to tie the game. The third Mallards’ error of the game allowed Lakeshore to retake the lead in the bottom of the 5th.
After mostly struggling in the first half of the season when playing from behind, the Mallards fought all the way through the rainy matchup in Mequon. With one out in the top of the 6th, Madison was able to push three runs across the plate including the fourth RBI from Wetherholt on a bases loaded walk.The West Virginia freshman went 3-for-3 last night in Wausau and followed that up with a 2-for-3 night at Lakeshore. The Mallards 8-6 lead was no more after the Chinooks scored one run in both the bottom of the 6th and 7th innings. The Mallards and Chinooks saw some tempers flare from both sides later in the game The game was tied heading into the top of the 9th. Following a Liam Moreno hit by pitch, Chinooks’ reliever Josh Johnson struck out the next two batters. Elias Stevens was able to draw a walk to push Moreno into scoring position. Scott Shaw provided a two-out go-ahead single to center field to give the Mallards a 9-8 edge. The final of the five arms used by Madison on Sunday was All-Star closer Bryce Woody. Woody (W, 1-1) would face seven batters, walk one and strike out six to slam the door to snap the Mallards’ three-game losing skid.
The Mallards continue their longest road trip of the season tomorrow at Kapco Park to wrap up a two-game series with Lakeshore. Action can be found on the Northwoods League website under the ‘Live Action’ tab at 6:35 PM.
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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.
