June 28, 2007

Mallards Report: Wednesday, June 27

The Capital Times

Madison Mallards 5, Rochester Honkers 4

DUCK SNORT

Forgive the pun, but it's fitting here. Pinch-hitter Evan LeBlanc's flare to right field off Honkers reliever Mike Morrison with two outs in the ninth inning scored pinch-runner Ryan Tinkoff from second base with the winning run, completing the Mallards' rally from a 4-0 deficit in the top of the eighth inning. Bubba O'Connell closed the door by working a perfect ninth for his sixth save, and reliever Tom Stilson earned the win after striking out the first four batters he faced.

FAMILIAR RALLY

Rochester starter Dave Sever held Madison to just two hits through seven innings before surrendering three runs in the eighth -- two on an RBI triple by Bobby Hubbard, followed by Neil Medchill's team-high 14th RBI. Scott Heitshusen tied the game in the ninth when he came home on a wild pitch by Morrison, a Cal State Fullerton athlete making his season debut. It marked the fourth straight game in which Rochester had surrendered a lead of two runs or more.

FOR STARTERS

Craig Meier -- the former Madison Edgewood athlete turned reserve UW quarterback turned MATC baseball player -- tossed six solid innings, striking out 10 but surrendering home runs to Brian Spear and Raynor Campbell.