The Mallards made sure the same misfortunes that haunted them in game one of their double-header against Alexandria were not repeated, as Madison secured an early lead, and took home a 2-1 victory in game two.
The Mallards (7-3) rode the arm of newcomer Rick Rivas the entire way. Rivas sat Beetles hitters down one after another, finishing the seven inning game with eight strikeouts and one walk. With pitches exceeding 90 MPH, Rivas scattered four hits while allowing only one run.
The Mallards provided Rivas with an early inning lead, scoring their only two runs of the game in the bottom of the second inning. Craig Nyborg and Kyle Murphy both supplied RBI doubles to lead the Mallards attack.
The Mallards defense sealed the victory for Rivas, as shortstop Abe Aguirre fully extended himself, and threw a rocket from his knees to first base to end the game, robbing Ryan Barba of a base hit.
The Mallards continue their six-game home stand tomorrow afternoon at 3:05 p.m., as the intrastate rival Wisconsin Woodchucks visit Madison for the first time in 2005. Tickets for tomorrow?s contest and all remaining Mallards home games are available online at www.mallardsbaseball.com or by phone at 246.4277.