The Madison Mallards controlled their own destiny entering tonight?s game needing one win or a Rochester loss in the final two days of the Northwoods League first half schedule. The Mallards took care of business on their own beating the Wisconsin Woodchucks 10-6. Rightfielder Francois Larmore was three for five with three and RBI and second baseman Doug Beck also had three RBI going two for five on the night. Reliever D.J. Roshone made a league leading 17th appearance and gave up one run in one and two thirds innings to pick up the run.
The Woodchucks headed into the sixth inning trailing 5-1 when they exploded for four runs to knot the game at five. Madison responded in the bottom of the seventh scoring five runs in an inning that they reached base on three consecutive bunts that each brought a run across the plate. Jon Olson started for the Mallards giving up three runs on six hits in five innings of work. Kyle Yates pitched a scoreless ninth inning to seal a victory for the Mallards.
The Mallards improved to 21-10 in front of a crowd of 5,175 at the Duck Pond at Warner Park. The championship is the first championship in franchise history for the Mallards. Madison travels to Wausau tomorrow to take on the Woodchucks in the final game of the first half of the Northwoods League season.