Another strong pitching performance from Jake Sullivan (bottom left) sparked Madison to a 2-1 victory over the Waterloo Bucks at the Duck Pond Wednesday night.
Sullivan, the lefty from Georgia Tech, scattered seven hits and allowed two walks in eight innings of work. He struck out a pair of Bucks to garner his fifth win of 2006 against three losses. He lowered his ERA from 1.80 to 1.71.
With the win, the Mallards swept the series and improved to 6-2 against the Bucks this season. Madison was a perfect 4-0 versus Waterloo at Warner Park in 2006.
The win had great significance with the Mallards chasing the final playoff spot in the South Division. Thanks to Alexandria?s come-from-behind 10-8 win over the La Crosse Loggers Wednesday night, the magic number for the Mallards to clinch the second playoff spot in the South Division is two games. Any combination of Mallards wins and La Crosse losses that equal two will give the Mallards the playoff spot against Rochester. If the Mallards do get the second playoff spot, the first game of the South Division playoffs would be Monday, August 14, at the Duck Pond. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.
Madison scored all it would need in the fifth inning. With one out, Gary Arndt (top left) laced a double down the right field line. Danny Dressman followed with a single to center field. As Arndt attempted to score, the throw from center fielder Robert Matlock went over catcher Jeff Lanning?s head to the backstop, allowing Arndt to score easily. Dressman was able to move to third on the throwing error. After Jordan Wolf popped out, Jordan Comadena singled, plating Dressman and giving the Mallards a 2-0 lead.
The Bucks got one back in the eighth against Sullivan. With two outs Jeff Whitlow doubled and scored on Matt Kramer?s single to center. That would be all the Bucks could muster, however, as Mike Creevy came in to pitch the ninth and notch his eighth save of the season.
Before the game, the Mallards honored infielder Mike Rohde with a spot on the Mallards Wall of Fame. Rohde (pictured below), who spent four years as a player for the Ducks, becomes the first Mallard and first active player to have a plaque placed on the Wall.
Fans received tons of prizes Wednesday as part of Quench Gum Fan Appreciation Night. The Mallards fans have become second to none when it comes to fan support.
Madison became the first summer collegiate baseball team to pass the 200,000 mark in regular season attendance as 7,284 attended Wednesday?s game. A total of 205,896 passed through the gates at the Duck Pond in 2006. Counting the Mallards/MLB Alumni Exhibition Game, 212,249 attended some form of Mallards game at the Duck Pond.
The Ducks are on the road for the final four games of 2006. Thursday, Madison opens a two-game series at La Crosse. A win by the Ducks will clinch the playoff spot opposite Rochester. Adam Mills will start for the Mallards Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with pre-game coverage beginning at 6:50 p.m. on Madison?s Fox Sports Radio 100.5 FM.
