Mallards One-Hit Dock Spiders to Begin Home Stand
Madison’s Beau Nichols strikes out career-high 11 in victory
Madison, WI – The Mallards were able to salvage a game in the home-and-home set with the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders on Wednesday afternoon from Warner Park to begin a five-game home stand. The Ducks’ shutout win allowed them to creep within a couple of games in the overall Great Lakes West standings.
Madison entered Wednesday’s game off of a 1-4 road trip including trips to Wausau, Mequon, and Fond du Lac with 56 free passes dished out. The Mallards needed a start from Beau Nichols that would save a handful of bullpen arms to get back into the playoff race in the second half after allowing double-digit runs in four of the first seven games. Nichols (7.0 IP, 1 H, 11 K) did that, and more. The right-hander from Lincoln Memorial University threw the best game of his collegiate career bringing a perfect game well into the 7th inning. The bid was broken by Andrew Sojka with two outs on an infield single to the second baseman. Sojka beat out Jack Merrifield’s throw by half a step to steal away the opportunity. Nichols struck out a career-high 11 in his second victorious decision of the campaign.
On the offensive end, the Mallards were able to get started early against left-hander Davis Rokose. Today’s leadoff man Jack Merrifield singled to begin the bottom of the 1st and was followed by an Adrian Mella double to move two runners into scoring position. Madison would go on to score both on singles from Payton Smith and Scott Shaw (2-3, 3B). Shaw has multiple hits in each of the last two nights. Rokose was able to retire the first batter in the home 2nd but the Mallards were able to put the next five batters on base. Miguel Larreal reached on an infield single, Merrifield found his way on base after a throwing error, Mella walked, and then J.J. Wetherholt was hit by a pitch to drive in a free run. Wetherholt, who took a fastball off the hand, exited the game in the next inning. Payton Smith went on to drive in the final Mallards’ run of the game in the 2nd with a fielder’s choice. Making their Madison debuts, Mella and Larreal both scored runs and recorded hits. The Mallards did not record a hit following the third inning.
After the 7th, the Mallards called on All-Star pitcher Steven Lacey to close the door. Lacey shut down the Fond du Lac order with three strikeouts in six batters faced.
The Mallards continue their longest home stand of the season tomorrow as they begin a two-game set with the Green Bay Rockers. Game action can be found under the ‘Live Action’ tab on the Northwoods League website at 6:15 for pregame show coverage and a 6:35 first pitch.
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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.
