The Green Bay Bullfrogs built up a lead too big for the Mallards to overcome in the teams’ first franchise meeting Wednesday night at the Duck Pond. After scoring three unanswered runs through five innings, including four hitless frames, the Bullfrogs held onto a 4-2 victory to share first place in the NWL South Division with the Wisconsin Woodchucks.
After a blank first inning for both sides, the Bullfrogs were the first to make a move, as Sean Dovel recorded the first hit of the game on a single to left field. After moving to second on a groundout, Dovel crossed home on Danny Meier’s RBI-double to left. Green Bay would earn another run in the top of the third inning as well, as Ryan Cavan took advantage of a Mallards fielding error following a bunt. Steven Gray’s run in the fifth gave the Bullfrogs their largest lead of the game on a sacrifice fly from Michael Notaro.
Meanwhile, the Mallards offense wasn’t clicking against a solid pitching performance from Taylor Sinclair, who had a no-hitter going through 4.1 innings of work. He ended the game after 5.1 innings, allowing three hits, two runs (0 earned) and five strikeouts.
Despite struggling offensively the first half of the ballgame, the Mallards benefited from two Green Bay errors in the sixth, which would help the home team close the gap to 3-2. Jordan Comadena led off the inning and reached first on an error from Kurt Yacko. During the next at-bat Comadena advanced to second on a wild pitch from Sinclair. The same at-bat, Brandon Wikoff took two bases on yet another Green Bay mistake – an error from Cavan – which also scored Comadena. Later in the inning, Justin Bristow (pictured) recorded an RBI, scoring Wikoff from third.
With one out and the bases loaded, Russell Harben drilled a hotshot grounder off the mound that looked like it would make it to the outfield, but second baseman Adam Frost gloved the ball at the fringe to start a 4-6-3 double play to end the home rally.
Notaro added an insurance run for Green Bay in the seventh to end the scoring at 4-2 in favor of the visitors.
Sinclair (1-1) earned the win for his effort, and Feeney (2-1) took his first loss of the year, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing seven hits, three runs (1 earned) and a strikeout.
Offensively, Bristow took Player of the Game honors, batting 2-for-3 with a run batted in.
For video highlights of the game, click here.
Thursday, ESPNU will be broadcasting the Mallards ballgame nationally in the series finale against Green Bay. For the first 1,000 kids 14 and under, the Mallards will be giving away Stop-N-Go Duck Bill Hats.
Great seats are still available for the game and can be purchased by visiting mallardsbaseball.com or calling 246.4277.
