After being defeated by Waterloo on Monday, another loss would have put the Mallards two games out of first place in the South Division. With playoff implications abound, the Mallards rose to the occasion Tuesday, downing the Bucks on the road, 5-2. Jake Eiler (4-2) led the way with another stellar pitching performance, going six innings, and striking out six, while giving up two runs.

A scoreless game through three innings of play, the Mallards scored two runs in the fourth, and again in the sixth inning, to hold a 4-1 advantage through the sixth.

The Mallards and Bucks managed just 14 hits in the contest, seven by each team. Mike Rohde and Mike Dury together were 2-for-7, with five RBIs. Rohde produced three runs. Dury manufactured two with his second home run of the season.

Zach Peterson, Tony Korson, and Matt Petty combined to pitch shutout baseball in relief of Eiler. Petty earned his fourth save of the season.

The Mallards (14-6) have Wednesday off, before returning to the Duck Pond for a two-game series against the St. Cloud River Bats. Game time for both games is 7:05 p.m. Due to high demand, the Mallards organization urges customers to buy tickets for remaining home games in advance. Tickets are available online at www.mallardsbaseball.com, by phone: (608) 246-4277, or at our office located at 2920 N. Sherman Ave.