The Woodchucks pounded out 12 hits, but struggled mightily defensively and on the mound as the Mallards defeated the Chucks, 13-3, Wednesday night at Warner Park.
Wisconsin (17-11) committed five fielding errors and saw their pitchers fire five wild pitches and surrender 13 runs on 18 hits, while walking seven and hitting two more on the night.
The Mallards (16-11) scored three runs in both the second and third innings, boasting a 6-0 lead after three. The Woodchucks cracked the scoreboard in the fourth inning after getting a double from third baseman Paul DeJong and an RBI single from right fielder Kevin Connolly, cutting the Ducks’ lead to 6-1.
Madison tallied another in the bottom half, but the Woodchucks scored two more in the top half of the fifth to make the Mallards’ lead to 7-3.
In that fifth inning, designated hitter Jake Scudder doubled with one out before left fielder Jake Jefferies singled. First baseman Brendon Hayden’s sacrifice fly gave the Chucks their first run of the frame, while DeJong’s RBI double, his second two-base hit of the day, closed out the scoring for the inning and the night for Wisconsin.
Madison scored five more runs in the seventh inning against Woodchucks’ pitching, and tacked on another insurance run in the ninth to make the final scoRe 13-3.
The Woodchucks tried six different pitchers against the Mallards’ offense, which put up at least one run against all six. Right-hander Connor McFadden was given the loss, while the victory went to Madison’s Charlie Naso, who tossed two and one-third scoreless innings in relief.
Wisconsin was led offensively by DeJong (2-for-4, two doubles, RBI), Jefferies (3-for-4, two stolen bases) and Scudder (3-for-5, two doubles), while Madison got contributions up-and-down the lineup.
The Mallards were led by first baseman Pete Alonso’s four hits, and also got three hits from left fielder Alex Bacon, second baseman Robbie Tenerowicz and designated hitter Joe Dudek.
The Woodchucks are back in action Thursday as they host the Kalamazoo Growlers in the first of two at Athletic Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M.
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The Wisconsin Woodchucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwood’s League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwood’s League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 115 Northwood’s League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwood’s League YouTube channel. For more information, visit woodchucks.com.