The Mallards are peaking at the right time. With Muskie fever throughout the ballpark Thursday night, right-hander Billy Phillips pitched his third straight game without surrendering a run to help the Mallards dispatch of the St. Cloud River Bats 6-1 in front of a raucous crowd at Warner Park. Phillips (5-2) fooled River Bat hitters all evening, allowing only five hits while fanning eight. Zach Peterson and Tony Korson combined to keep the River Bats at bay over the final three innings.

Stellar pitching was not the only story Thursday night, as the Mallard offense had things in high gear. Ryan Rogowski had two hits, two runs and an RBI to lead the Mallard attack. A wild pitch in the sixth allowed Rogowski to advance to third base, and moved Chad Frk to second. Jeff Bieker then darted a grounder that River Bats second baseman Jon Schemmel could not handle, scoring Rogowski. Another single by Mike Rohde scored Frk, and gave the Mallards a comfortable 3-0 lead. Madison scored three more runs in the next two innings, allowing just one run in the ninth.

With the Waterloo Bucks losing to the Alexandria Beetles Thursday night, the Mallards now own sole possession of first place in the South Division. Tomorrow night the Ducks will try to add their division lead at 7:05 PM against the River Bats. The Mallards organization suggests purchasing tickets for remaining home games ahead of time either online at www.mallardsbaseball.com, or at our office located at Warner Park.