Sparks Fly in Madison, Mallards Fall in Fifth Straight
Madison swept by Green Bay to continue season-long losing streak
Madison, WI – The Mallards dropped both games in the home-and-home series with the Green Bay Rockers with the finale on Friday night at Warner Park. The Rockers were able to even the season series at six apiece with a 5-3 win.
For the second consecutive night, the Mallards found themselves leading first. First baseman Chad McCann (3-4, 2 RBI) drove home Liam Moreno in the bottom of the first inning to kickoff the scoring against Rockers’ All-Star starter Dylan Carter (4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 K). McCann’s second run-batted-in came in the bottom of the 3rd to give the Mallards a 2-0 advantage a third of the way through the contest. Green Bay’s scoring began in the top of the 5th against Ducks’ starter Tommy Ellisen (5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K). Tristin Garcia sliced a single to left field which was misplayed by L. Moreno scored the Rockers first run of the ballgame. The game was then tied in the 6th when Matt Scannell bounced into a fielder’s choice. Following the stretch, Madison would retake the lead playing good team baseball. Miguel Larreal placed down a bunt to put two runners in scoring position for the leadoff man, J.J. Rollon. Rollon was able to hit a ball hard enough to score the run and take the lead.
The top of the 8th inning brought the most energy in the game. The Mallards’ All-Star reliever Steven Lacey recorded a strikeout to begin the frame but then hit UCLA’s Carson Yates on the helmet with the first pitch. After a slight pause, Lacey’s next pitch was launched to left field for a two-run home run off the bat of nine-hole hitter Chase Hudson to give the Rockers their first lead of the night. After Lacey recorded the second out and then allowed a single to Garcia, Mallards’ skipper Donnie Scott went to the bullpen for J.J. Baez. The right hander walked the first two batters he faced to load the bases down one. The next batter, Keniel De Leon, hit a ground ball toward Larreal at shortstop. Larreal flipped to second base to Jack Merrifield to record the third out of the inning but the runner was called safe, giving the Rockers a two-run edge. Scott emerged from the Mallards’ dugout to argue the call with the third base umpire Kyle Eastman. The conversation quickly got heated as the manager was quickly ejected from the game. The Crew Chief, Conor McKenzie got involved to protect his staff and in the meantime, Donnie made his way to third base to remove the bag and toss it aside. Shortly after, McKenzie motioned toward the Mallards’ dugout that someone else had been tossed. Gordon Cardenas, Mallards’ first year pitching coach, was also tossed from the game in the process. Following the ejections, Madison was unable to claw back and as a result, dropped their fifth straight game.
The Mallards home-and-home streak continues tomorrow by beginning a set with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids. Mallards’ coverage can be found on Mixlr (MadisonMallards) 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.
