The Madison Mallards did everything they could Saturday night to prove that the Northwoods league schedule really is a tale of two halves. The Ducks, who finished the first half of the season at 16-18, defeated the Wisconsin Woodchucks 5-1 on Saturday, extending their current winning streak to four and pushing their second-half record out to 5-1. The win came before 1,383 fans at Wausau?s Athletic Park.

The Mallards got the scoring started right away in the first. Jordan Comadena opened the game with a line drive double to center field but the next batter, Bobby Hubbard, was unable to move him over after popping up a bunt attempt. Tommy Lentz then strolled to the plate but popped out to the first baseman on a check swing, leaving Comadena still at second. Now with two outs, the cleanup man, Spencer Steedley, came up and he did not disappoint. Steedley (pictured below) delivered an RBI single to right, scoring Comadena from second and giving the Mallards an early 1-0 lead.

The Woodchucks would answer, however, in their half of the first. Ryan Wilkes and Steve Goins led off the innings with back-to-back infield singles. Wilkes would later move to third on a Jake Sullivan wild pitch and would eventually score on a Josh Yates sacrifice fly to deep right field. This, however, would be all the scoring for the Woodchucks on Saturday night as it would be all Mallards the rest of the way.

Mike Rohde led of the top of the second with a walk and moved to second on a bunt by shortstop Gary Arndt. The next batter, Danny Dressman, walked putting runners at first and second with one out. Rohde then stole third and scored on a Joe Oliver sacrifice to deep center field, giving the Ducks a lead they would not relinquish at 2-1.

The Mallards were back at it in the fifth. Hubbard (pictured top-left) opened the frame with a walk and scored on a shot off the center field wall by Lentz. Steedley then bunted Lentz to third and Randy Molina walked, putting runners at the corners with one out. Rohde then came up and delivered a double of his own, scoring Lentz and moving Molina to third making the score 4-1. Arndt came up and delivered a single to center scoring Molina and capping the scoring for both teams.

Mallards starter Jake Sullivan worked five innings, allowing only one run on six hits. He struck out four and walked just one. Stephen Dodson followed Sullivan, working three scoreless frames and allowing just one hit, helping to secure a victory for Sullivan. Brian Smith shut things down in the ninth, allowing zero runs on zero hits.

The loss went to Woodchucks starter Owen Reid who went just 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on six hits. He walked seven Mallards in that time as well.

The Mallards return home Sunday, July 16, to take on the Rochester Honkers. It will be Ducks Unlimited Night. The first 500 fans will receive duck calls courtesy of Ducks Unlimited. It will also be Schoep?s Ice Cream Mini Batting Helmet Night. The first 1,000 fans 14 and under will receive mini batting helmets courtesy of Schoep?s Ice Cream.

Great seats are still available. Order yours now by visiting www.mallardsbaseball.com or calling 246.4277.