Madison, Wis. – The Madison Mallards (4-6) picked up a win on Thursday night at the Duck Pond, crushing the Rockford Rivets (5-5), 19-5. After a rocky four-run top of the first, the Mallards dominated the rest of the ballgame, scoring 14 runs and holding the Rivets to just one.

Designated hitter Brady Pfaadt (Bellarmine) had a phenomenal ballgame as he drove in five runs, three coming on an eighth inning three-run shot to left field. Pfaadt also tallied a double and a single. Madison second baseman Nick Schrader (Western Illinois) also had a strong night at the plate as he drove in four runs on two base-hits.

“I’ve been starting to feel more comfortable in the box,” Schrader explained.  “I’ve been getting a lot of help from the coaches here and they’ve been putting in extra time with me and I’ve just been seeing the ball better.”

When asked about the difference between games like tonight’s and those when the Mallards struggle to get going offensively, Schrader said, “It all starts when we get to the field around noon. There’s always guys here that are coming in early, running, stretching, throwing. I think that’s when it all starts. Days when it starts early you can feel it in the locker room.”

Mallards relievers Dom Savino (Albany) and Davis Moore (Fresno State) were effective out of the bullpen. Savino earned the win, going 3.1 innings, allowing just three hits and striking out three. Moore added two scoreless innings, striking out a pair and allowing just one hit.

The Mallards offense extended the lead in the eighth inning when they notched eight runs. Overall for Madison, Tom Smart (Oakton), Cole Daily (Notre Dame), and Cade Bunnell (Madison College) each tallied three hits for the Mallards. Bunnell, Schrader, Pfaadt, and Jeffery Mitchell Jr. (California) all had multiple RBI.

Madison hosts the Wisconsin Woodchucks tomorrow night as first pitch is set for 7:05 PM. The game will feature Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat presented by Maple Leaf Landscaping. Gates are scheduled to open at 5:30 PM.