On Sunday afternoon the Madison Mallards capped off what has already been a very successful season. The Ducks (36-32) defeated the second-half North Division champion Duluth Huskies 5-1 to cap off the regular season and ride into their first-round playoff series against Rochester with a bit of momentum.

The Mallards got the scoring started in a big way during the third. With one out, Danny Dressman walked and scored on Jordan Wolf?s triple. The next batter, Jordan Comadena, doubled down the left field line to bring home Wolf and make the score 2-0. Comadena (pictured below) later advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Tommy Lentz?s sacrifice fly to make the score 3-0.

The Ducks were back at it in the fourth, posting another pair of runs. Ryan Bond reached on an infield single and moved to second on Joe Oliver?s sacrifice bunt. Ryan?s brother, Wayne Bond, then pinch hit for Dressman and doubled to bring home older brother Ryan (top left) and make the score 4-0. Bobby Hubbard then entered the game to hit for Wolf. Hubbard walked and Comadena singled to load the bases for Mike Rohde. Before Rohde could hit, however, the Huskies made the call to the bullpen and Ryan Lollis. Rohde greeted Lollis with a long fly ball to left, scoring Wayne Bond to make the score 5-0 in favor of the Ducks.

That would be all the scoring the Mallards would need as Duluth would manage just one run in the eighth inning when Chris House scored on a Brock Simpson grounder to second

In all, the Mallards used four different pithcers on the mound in Sunday?s victory. Right-hander Jeff Zielke started, going four shutout innings and allowing just one hit. Jake Sullivan relieved Zielke in the fifth, working three shutout innings of his own and allowing only three hits. That?s when the boys from Madison had a little fun. Ryan Bond, typically known as a second baseman for the Mallards, came in to pitch an inning. He allowed one run on one hit in one inning of work. Kris Rochelle then came on to pitch the ninth, allowing zero runs on zero hits. Rochelle is typically a catcher for the Mallards.

Game one of the Mallards’ first-round playoff series will take place Monday, August 14, at the Duck Pond. The Ducks will take on the Rochester Honkers, the South Division?s first- and second-half champion. The Northwoods League first-round playoff series follows a one-two format, meaning game one will be at the Duck Pond, with games two and three taking place in Rochester.

The Mallards will offer a bus ride to game two in Rochester on Tuesday, August 15. For just 30 dollars, fans can receive a ride on the bus and a ticket to the game. The bus will depart Madison at approximately 2:30 p.m. and return following the conclusion of the game. The bus will return regardless of the outcome of the game.

Tickets for the Mallards first-round playoff game are on sale now! Great seats are still available. Order yours now by visiting www.mallardsbaseball.com or calling 246.4277.