The Mallards defeated the Mankato Moon Dogs 10-3 on the final day of the Northwoods League?s first half Tuesday at the Duck Pond in Madison. The Moon Dogs came into the night looking to win the 1st half championship and needed a win, coupled with a Brainerd Mighty Gulls loss, to win the North Division of the NWL. The Gulls fell 10-3 to Rochester, however Mankato was unable to pull of their end of the deal as they lost to the revitalized Ducks before a crowd of 1,631.
Mike Schaefer, a native of Sun Prairie, made his 2002 Mallards debut getting the start & going 4 1/3 innings while giving up one unearned run & striking out four. Amad Stephens relieved Schaefer in the fifth making his second appearance in the last 3 days while coming of a minor injury that had sidelined him for almost 2 weeks. J.J. Jackson threw one inning & was relieved by Mark Sopko who pitched the last two innings picking up his 4th save of the summer.
Madison took an early lead with one run in the 2nd inning, but found themselves down 3-1 by the time they came to bat in the bottom of the 6th. Mallards SS Kyle Anson hit a triple that cleared the loaded bases for Madison to take the lead for good in the 6th.
The Mallards added one run in the 7th, and plated five more in the 8th to seal the victory over the slumping Moon Dogs.
The second half of the NWL season opens up Wed. and the Mallards will host the Wausau Woodchucks for a 7:05 contest at the Duck Pond. Wednesday night will be Sports Impressions Dells night & fans will be able to win great prizes all night long during the game.