Wisconsin showed once again it has Madison’s number this year, as the Woodchucks defeated the Mallards for the sixth time of the season. Despite getting in trouble in the bottom of the ninth, Wisconsin denied a comeback and closed the game with an 8-7 advantage.

The game saw several multi-run frames, as both teams scored at least two runs in a combined five half innings.

Wisconsin, for a second straight night, scored in the first inning, taking a 2-0 lead following Vicente Cafaro’s double-RBI and Sam Freeman’s sac bunt.

The Woodchucks added another two runs in the next inning, building their lead to 4-0, coming from Cafaro’s bat for a second time, as the shortstop knocked in another two runs on a single.

Madison made up ground in the bottom half of the second, loading the bases with no outs. With the bases juiced, Russell Harben was hit by a pitch to score Daniel Webb. Brandon Wikoff recorded an RBI during the next at-bat on a fielder’s choice, which crossed Randy Molina (pictured). Eric Nielsen produced the Mallards’ final run of the inning on a throwing error by the Chucks’ third baseman, Brent Weaver.

Things got wild in the fifth, as each team scored three runs. It appeared that Wisconsin clinched the game by going up 7-3, but Molina’s three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth tightened things up once again at 7-6.

Down 8-6 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Jordan Comadena produced a single and stole consecutive bases to reach third. Neil Medchill then drew a walk to put runners at the corners. Webb came up with a big single to score Comadena, but Molina just missed his target, flying out to deep left to end the game.

The Mallards travel to Green Bay to face the Bullfrogs Sunday and Monday before returning to the Duck Pond to host Rochester in a two-game set, starting at 7:05 p.m.

Tickets are going fast and can be purchased by visiting mallardsbaseball.com or by calling 246.4277. Thanks for your support of Mallards baseball!