The Madison Mallards did their part to move back into a first-place tie atop the Northwoods League South Division, knocking off the La Crosse Loggers 4-3 in a rain-shortened contest Wednesday night in front of 3,017.

The Mallards jumped on the board in the third inning with two runs, but La Crosse battled back to take a 3-2 lead in the fifth. After unsuccessful comeback attempts the previous two nights, Madison answered with two runs of their own in the sixth to regain the lead at 4-3.

Tim Gudex came out of the bullpen to shut the door on the Loggers, picking up his first save of the season. J.J. Hollenbeck (5-0) recorded the victory for the Mallards, pulling even with Thunder Bay?s Casey O?Rourke for most victories in the Northwoods League.

Adam Rogers (2-2) recorded the loss for the Loggers who fall three and a half games behind the Mallards in the standings.

Will Vogl made the most of his appearance as a member of the Madison Mallards blasting his first home run of the season.

The Mallards return home to the Duck Pond Thursday to take on the Loggers at 7:05 p.m. Thursday is Concordia University Mallards Cooler Night at the Duck Pond. The first 500 fans 18 and over will receive Mallards Coolers. It is also Gugger Home Improvement Companies Little League Night at the Duck Pond. Every child that wears his little league uniform will be admitted free of charge. In addition to free admission, the first 750 children 14 and under will receive free mini baseball bats, courtesy of the Shoe Box in Black Earth, Wis.

For tickets visit www.mallardsbaseball.com or call the Mallards ticket office at (608) 246-4277.