Madison, Wis. – The Madison Mallards (11-7, 30-23) defeated the Rockford Rivets (12-6, 29-23) in game one of a split doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon, 11-4. The Mallards utilized a strong start from Matt McCarty (Louisville) and a steady barrage of offense to cruise to a commanding win.
McCarty worked a solid five innings despite giving up a pair of runs in the first inning on a Rockford two-run home run. McCarty commanded the strike zone and pitched to contact as he gave up only three hits and walked one. McCarty earned his second win of the season, improving his record to 2-2.
After two crossed for the Rivets in the first, the Mallards responded in the third and fourth innings. A sac fly from Zac Taylor (Illinois) scored one in the third and a two-run double by Thomas Smart (Oakton) gave the Mallards a 4-2 lead in the top of the fourth. Smart finished with a pair of hits and also scored two runs. Smart was one of many Mallards who contributed offensively as all nine Mallards batsmen recorded hits and the team only struck out on three occasions.
Madison extended its lead in the top of the sixth when Taylor doubled to centerfield to drive in Cole Daily (Notre Dame) and Maverick Handley (Stanford). Taylor ended the day with three hits and three RBI. Daily set the tone for the Mallards all afternoon as he finished the game with three hits and scored a pair of runs. Rockford quickly responded with a pair of runs to cut the Madison lead to 6-4.
In the top of the eighth inning, the Mallards added on three insurance runs. One came in on an RBI single by Doran Turchin (Illinois) and two scored on an error by the Rockford shortstop. An inning later, Cade Bunnell (Madison College) knocked one in on an RBI double to make it 10-4.
While the Mallards offense broke out for five runs in the final two innings, Mallards relievers Luke Shilling (Illinois) and Riley Pawelski (Madison College) both worked scoreless innings. Pawelski struck out a pair and has now tossed four scoreless innings out of the Mallards bullpen this season. The pair of relievers shut down the Rivets and sealed the 11-4 Mallards win.
The teams head back to Madison immediately for a 7:05 PM game tonight at Warner Park. Gates are scheduled to open at 5:30 PM and the game features Agriculture Appreciation Night with a petting zoo. Listen to all Mallards games live by tuning into The Zone 106.7 FM or 1670 AM. For more Mallards coverage, visit mallardsbaseball.com.
