The Mallards remained on the road Friday, playing their first game of the second half of the Northwoods League schedule. St. Cloud hosted the Ducks and held its ground, coming away with a 5-4, come from behind victory over the Mallards, 5-4.

Despite Madison’s 4-1 lead midway through the game, the River Bats came alive, tying the game in the bottom half of the sixth at four and later taking the go-ahead run in the seventh.

Travis High (0-1) took the loss as the Mallards third pitcher of the evening. Brian Smith, the starter, pitched 5.2 innings from the hill, allowing four runs on eight hits.

Madison did not have any batters with a multi-hit game, and the bottom of the lineup proved to be the most effective. Bobby Stevens, Matt Behren and Brandon Wikoff, the seven through nine hitters, each recorded an RBI, and Stevens scored a run. Randy Molina improved his hitting streak to nine games and is now batting .279 for the season.

Over the last 10 games, Molina is batting .400 with five runs and five RBIs.

The loss brings the Mallards overall record to 16-19, while improving St. Cloud’s North Division lead record to 22-13.

Madison remains in St. Cloud Saturday with the first pitch coming at 7:05 p.m.