Coming into the day, the Mallards stood a chance of winning the Northwoods League first-half South Division championship. Madison needed the La Crosse Loggers to lose a pair of games sunday afternoon to the Waterloo Bucks to remain in contention for the title. La Crosse took care of business however, defeating the Bucks 2-1 in game one of a doubleheader, clinching the championship that the Mallards sought.
The game in La Crosse proved to be incidental, as the Mallards dropped a heartbreaker to the Alexandria Beetles 3-1 in game one of a doubleheader. The Mallards failed to score with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the Beetles new life. Spike McDougall then crushed a two-run home run of Mallards reliever D.J Roshone in the top of the ninth to give the Beetles a lead they would not relinquish.
Mallards ace Andy Sigerich started the game, going six innings while giving up only one run. Sigerich scattered six hits and struck out nine Beetle hitters while walking only one.
Greg Thomson drove in the Mallards only run with a double in the bottom of the third to score Abe Aguirre.
In game two, the Mallards ended on the better end of the score, topping the Beetles 7-4. The Ducks trailed 4-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth before exploding for five runs to take a 7-4 lead. Catcher Nate Trumm had a perfect night from the plate, going 3 for 3, while second baseman Doug Beck went 3 for 4 with a run scored.
Jay Johnson and Kyle Murphy each collected two hits and an RBI in game two, while Mike Rohde knocked in three Mallard runs. Relief pitcher Shaun Corning improved his record to 3-0 by working one and one third innings of scoreless baseball. Zach Peterson worked the ninth and struck out two batters to earn his second save.
The Mallards (18-13) concluded their homestand with a 5-1 mark. The Ducks now head to Mankato to take on the MoonDogs tomorrow night at 7:05. The Mallards next home game is Thursday evening at 7:05 against the La Crosse Loggers. Tickets for all remaining Mallard home games are available online at www.mallardsbaseball.com and at our office located on 2920 N. Sherman Ave.
