Mallards Drop Heartbreaker for Sixth Straight
Madison falls in series opener to Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday night
Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Mallards losing streak was extended to six on Saturday at the hands of the division leading Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids by a final score of 7-4.
The seventh matchup of the season between the two clubs began in a rain delay of an hour at the home of the 2022 Northwoods League All-Star Game. After the pushed back start, the back-and-forth contest saw the Mallards scoring first for the third straight game. Josh Caron (2-3, 3 RBI) drove in the game’s first run in the top of the 1st off Rafters’ starter Cooper Robinson. Wisconsin Rapids responded immediately with a Brendan Bobo run-batted-in in the home half. The Ducks were able to strike again on Caron’s second RBI in the top of the 3rd to make the score 2-1. Much like the 1st inning, the Rafters hit back for one of their own. The Mallards’ player of the night against Green Bay, Chad McCann, had himself another nice night with two hits and batted in a run in the top of the 5th to take the lead yet again. However; it was no surprise that the Rafters still had fight in the bottom of the 6th. Stone Miyao hit a weak ground ball up the middle which was fielded by the Mallards’ second baseman Jack Merrifield and sailed beyond McCann at first, scoring the tying run. The error on Merrifield was the fourth of five Mallards’ errors on the night, a season high. Madison backed up their starting pitcher, Ryan O’Hara (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) in the top of the 7th after his longest start of the year with a Caron single scoring J.J. Rollon.
The Mallards turned to the bullpen for the Rafters’ 7th frame marking the debut for Alex Hayes. After a 1-2-3 7th inning, trouble arose in the 8th. After Garrett Broussard knocked in Jacob Igawa to tie the game, a fielder’s choice then put runners on the corners for Miyao. The Rafters’ manager Kirk Schrieder decided to call on Chase Call to pinch-hit after not starting a game in well over a week. After seeing one pitch from Hayes, Call launched an up-and-in pitch into the Wisconsin Rapids night for a three-run home run to seal the deal.
The Mallards return home to Warner Park for a singular game against the Rafters with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM. Coverage can be found on the Northwoods League website under the ‘Live Action’ tab with pregame beginning at 3:45 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.
