The Mallards came ready for the Chinooks this time around after being swept by Lakeshore in early June. Madison took an early lead in the first inning and never looked back in a 5-2 win at Kapco Park on a blissful Thursday night.

The Madison pitching staff controlled the Chinooks from the onset of the game. Starter Heath Renz (UW-Whitewater) gave up sporadic hits throughout the five innings he pitched, but only allowed two runs. One of those runs came off a solo home run from Lakeshore’s Rylan Thomas to right field. Renz would get his payback later, as he struck out eight Chinooks.

Relievers Mitch Vogrin (Illinois State) and Andrew Buckley (California) would team up to slam the door on Lakeshore after Renz exited in the sixth inning. Both Vogrin and Buckley inherited two baserunners with less than two outs when they entered the game. The two relievers displayed impressive confidence and control as they mowed through the heart of Lakeshore’s lineup with runners in scoring position. After it was all said and done, Renz, Vogrin, and Buckley combined for 15 strikeouts.

Offensively, the Mallards could only muster up seven hits. To put points on the board required creativity from Madison. The Mallards snuck in an unearned run in the first inning. Kian O’Brien (Kent State) also scored on a comical play that involved two overthrows from the Lakeshore infield and O’Brien huffing and puffing from first to home. Cade Bunnell (Indiana) was the only Mallard to record multiple hits. Angel Camacho (Jacksonville), Doran Turchin (Illinois), and Thomas Smart (Oakton) all notched an RBI as well. Camacho has recorded an RBI in three of his last four games, while Smart has now had an RBI in five of his last six games.

The Mallards will face the Chinooks again tomorrow night at 6:35 PM at Kapco Park. Listen to all Mallards games live by tuning into The Zone 106.7 FM or 1670 AM. For more Mallards coverage, visit mallardsbaseball.com.