The Madison Mallards got all the offense they needed in the first inning Sunday night, defeating the Waterloo Bucks 7-4 before a crowd of 5,276 at the Duck Pond.

Bucks starter Scott Shaw lasted only a third of an inning, allowing seven runs, all earned. Immediately, Shaw had all kinds of difficulty finding the strike zone as he hit Mallards leadoff hitter Jordan Comadena with the first Bucks pitch of the game. Shaw then walked the next batter, Bobby Hubbard, before Tommy Lentz reached by way of a fielder?s choice, advancing Comadena and forcing Hubbard out at second. The bases were loaded when Shaw walked Spencer Steedley, but that would not be the most crucial walk of the inning.

Randy Molina came up next, and was also walked, allowing Comadena to score and giving the Mallards a 1-0 lead. Ryan Bond was walked, too, scoring Lentz for a 2-0.

Then, Mike Rohde (pictured below) came up to bat. With the bases loaded and one out, Rohde connected on the biggest play of the game, a grand slam to the Duck Blind seating in right field.

The Mallards were up 6-0, and would score once more. Kris Rochelle doubled to advance Gary Arndt to third. As Comadena grounded out to second, Arndt scored the final run of the inning and the last of the game for the Mallards.

Waterloo would get two runs back in the fifth inning. Dane Hamilton led off with a walk handed out by Mallards starter Adam Mills (pictured above left). Mills went seven innings, giving up two runs, neither earned. He struck out four and allowed four hits and two walks.

Hamilton advanced to third base when Bryan Resnick reached base on an error. Resnick then stole second before Ryan Hastings flew out to right field and Hamilton scored. On the sacrifice fly, Resnick made it to third and also scored on a fly out when Mike Brown lifted a pitch to center field.

That would be all the scoring until the final inning, when the Bucks scored two more runs, but all was for naught as the Mallards kept a three-run lead.

Allan Donato relieved Mills in the eighth inning, and struck out one while yielding two hits.

The game was closed out by Mike Creevy, who gave up two runs on three hits, but still secured the wins for the Ducks.

Tonight, the Zooperstars, presented by Pepsi, entertained the Duck Pond crowd. It was also another TDS Commnity Night as the Mallards welcomed fans from Cottage Grove.

Every Sunday at the Duck Pond is a ?Famous Footwear Kids Eat Free Sunday.? Children (14 and under) get a free hot dog, soda and chips with the purchase of a full-priced ticket.

Every Sunday is also a ?St. Mary?s Senior Sunday.? Seniors get half-priced admission courtesy of St. Mary?s.

Tomorrow night, the Ducks will try to make it two straight as they face off against the Bucks again, at 7:05 p.m.

A Great Dane Duck Blind Family Four Pack will be available Monday night. Families can get four Duck Blind passes for 80 dollars. The Great Dane Duck Blind offers an all you can eat and drink menu. Family Four Packs can be purchased online at www.mallardsbaseball.com.

Good seats are still available. Order yours now by visiting www.mallardsbaseball.com or calling 608.246.4277.