As it has been the case so many times before this season, exceptional pitching and timely hitting propelled the Mallards to victory, as Madison took game one of the best-of-three Northwoods League Championship series Friday in Duluth, 2-0. With the win, the Mallards are just one win away from claiming the franchise?s first-ever league championship in its four-year history, returning to the friendly confines of Warner Park for game two tonight, and if necessary, game three on Sunday. Jake Eiler paved the way for the Mallards, churning out another steady, solid night from the mound. The right-hander from Morris, Minnesota, who also attends St. Scholastica in Duluth, went six innings, allowing a mere two hits while striking out six.

Although hits were hard to come by for both teams, the Mallards were able to make theirs count. John Martin got the Mallards? first run home in the fourth inning to put Madison up 1-0, after both teams went scoreless through three innings of play. Ryan Rogowski added an insurance run in the seventh to give Madison a 2-0 lead, which the Mallards protected with strong relief pitching.

Tony Korson stepped in after Eiler, tossing two and two thirds of scoreless relief. Korson fanned three Huskies before giving way to Matt Petty with two outs in the ninth. Petty faced one batter, and was able to get a fly-ball to centerfield, which Greg Thomson easily put away to seal the victory.

The Mallards look to clinch the NWL Championship tonight in game two of the series at the Duck Pond at 7:05 p.m., sending Ryan Zink to the hill. Fans can purchase game two playoff tickets in advance online at www.mallardsbaseball.com, by phone: (608) 246-4277, or by stopping in our office located at 2920 N. Sherman Ave. If a game three is necessary, tickets would go on sale immediately following the conclusion of game two.