After suffering their longest losing streak of the year, the Mallards have turned it around to win seven of their next nine games to reach the .500 mark at 8-8. Madison’s latest “W” came in series-sweeping fashion, taking down the North Division’s first-half winners, the St. Cloud River Bats (6-10, 27-23), by a score of 9-3.

The Mallards outscored St. Cloud 21-8 in the series and did so by out-hitting the Bats 31-20. The top three batters of Madison’s lineup all connected on multiple hits for a second-straight night, including Brandon Wikoff’s three.

Adam Pasono, however, was voted the team’s most valuable player Tuesday, knocking three hits and RBIs. Bobby Hubbard was right behind with a hit and RBI on top of his three cashed in runs.

Michael Hutts (pictured, W, 4-2) took the win, going 6.0 innings, allowing seven hits, three runs and three walks while striking out four batters. Travis High, Nathan Kafka and Bubba O’Donnell all came in for relief, pitching a scoreless inning apiece, giving up only one combined run.

This was the sixth game out of the last seven that the Mallards struck in the first inning, crossing four Tuesday to jump out to a 4-0 lead. After St. Cloud countered with a pair of runs in the top of the third, the Mallards answered right back with two runs to maintain their four-run lead.

The teams traded runs in the middle third of the game, but the Mallards’ final two runs clinched the game in favor of the home team.

For game highlights, visit here.

With their spirits high, the Mallards are traveling to Mankato for two games, both starting at 7:05 p.m., before coming back to the Duck Pond to face the Wisconsin Woodchucks, who own a 6-0 record against the Ducks.
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