Sparked by rightfielder Rob Lyerly (Charlotte), who went 5-for-8 on the day with three RBIs, and third baseman Drew Martin (NC State), who hit 5-for-7 with two runs over the same span, the Mallards are in the postseason for the first time since 2006. The last time the Mallards won the first-half title was in 2005, and earlier in 2003.

The Mallards struck it big in the top of the second. Lyerly led off with a double, followed by a Phil Gosselin (Virginia) single. After Luke Stewart (UAB) flew out to deep center, Martin came up with an RBI single to score Lyerly. Designated hitter Josh Groves (UW-Milwaukee) was thought to have grounded into an inning ending double play, however after a conference the umpires called catcher’s interference, letting the inning continue. The Mallards took advantage of their new life and scored a total of seven runs in the inning.

That’s all pitcher Gabriel Shaw (Louisville) would need. The righty threw another gem for the Ducks, going six innings and giving up only one run while striking out seven. After giving up a leadoff single to Battle Creek’s Dusty Harvard (Oklahoma St.), Shaw retired the next eleven batters he faced, squashing the Bomber’s hopes of pulling off the spoiler role.

Reed Woytek (Baylor) came in to finish the game for the Mallards. He gave up a run, which was ruled to be unearned, and then struck out the final batter of the game to secure the victory and first-half title for Madison.

The Mallards will be hosting a Northwoods League playoff game on either August 12th or 13th. Stay tuned to Mallardsbaseball.com to find out when postseason tickets will go on sale!

Madison travels to Wausau tomorrow evening to take on the Wisconsin Woodchucks for a two game series. Pitcher Nolan Cain will be on the mound for the Mallards, hoping to get the Mallards off to a great second-half start. The game will be available for viewing at livemallardsbaseball.com.