THE DUCK POND – The Alexandria Beetles snapped a four-game losing streak with strong pitching Sunday afternoon as they beat the Madison Mallards 2-0 in front of a crowd of 1,544 in a Northwoods League game at Warner Park.

Right-hander Chris Nicoll, a freshman from California-Irvine, pitched six innings and relievers Brian Anderson and Robert Salini allowed only five hits to beat the Mallards (23-11 overall, 1-1 second half) and give the Beetles their third shutout of the season.

Madison, which failed to score for only the second time this season, had won 11 of its last 13 games. Javier Sanchez, Doug Beck and Kevin Sevigny each had doubles for the Mallards, who had won four consecutive games before Sunday’s loss.

Madison pitcher Andy Sigerich, a right-hander from Illinois, sustained his first loss despite allowing just one earned run in seven innings.