The Madison Mallards used some late game heroics from Ducks veteran Mike Rohde to knock off the Wisconsin Woodchucks in an important Northwoods League South Division game at the Duck Pond Wednesday night, 5-2.
Tied at two, the Mallards loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth. Rohde, who entered the game hitting .375 with the bases loaded, stepped to the plate. He laced a two-run single to right, scoring Danny Dressman and Jordan Wolf to give the Mallards a 4-2 lead. Gary Arndt followed with a single, scoring Jordan Comadena from third to give the Mallards the 5-2 lead.
Rohde is now batting .444 with the bases loaded this summer. The infielder has a home run and 10 RBI to his credit in that situation.
With the win, the Mallards are now 12-11 in the second half and 28-29 overall. Madison remains a game behind La Crosse for the second playoff spot in the South. La Crosse beat Eau Claire, 5-3, on Wednesday.
Eryk McConnell earned his fifth win with eight innings of work. He allowed five hits, two earned runs and three walks while striking out four. It was his final appearance this summer for the Ducks as he has to return to school (North Carolina State). Mike Creevy pitched the ninth to earn his fourth save.
The Mallards scored first in the third inning as Mitch Saum walked with one out. He stole second and scored with two outs on a Wolf single to make it 1-0.
The Ducks scored another in the fourth when Arndt knocked Rohde in from second with a double. Arndt extended his hitting streak at Warner Park to 10 games.
The Woodchucks tied the game at two in the top of the eighth. With two outs, McConnell issued walks to Corey Ashner and Ryan Wilkes. The pair scored on a double to center field by Daniel Des Calso.
Every 100th fan in attendance received a Spectrum Brands gift package to celebrate the company?s 100th anniversary. Kids 14 and under received a piggy bank from Madison Area Credit Unions and the second in a series of three Mallards trading cards sets, presented by PDQ and Quench Gum, were given out.
The Mallards and Woodchucks meet again Thursday at the Duck Pond. Jake Sullivan will start for the Ducks against Craig Brookes of Wisconsin. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Thursday is PDQ and Quench Gum Trading Card Night #3. It?s also Ashley Furniture Home Store Giveaway Night and the first 750 fans 18 and over will receive a Schwarz Insurance Mallards umbrella.
Thursday is also another TDS Community Night. The Mallards will welcome fans from Sauk City to the Duck Pond.
