After losing a shootout in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, the Mallards came back home on Sunday and won 5-4 on a walk-off in 10 innings against the Traverse City Pit Spitters.

This game was a pitching duel for a long time as Mallards starting pitcher Ryan Lauk and the Pit Spitters starter Jacob Marcus (Richmond) both had quality starts.

In his second start, Lauk pitched seven innings giving up three earned runs. He gave up just four hits and had five strikeouts. Two of those earned runs came on a two-run home run from Chris Monroe in the sixth inning to put Traverse City up 3-1 in the sixth inning.

The Mallards were able to get Marcus out of the game in the 7th inning with one out, and then off of relief pitcher Spencer Vahavicz, Dominic Toso (Richmond) hit a two-run single for the Mallards to tie it up at three.

Then came the top of the ninth as Terrell Hudson (New Mexico) came into pitch for the Mallards. He struck out two batters, but then the Pit Spitters rallied with two outs to scratch across a run and go up 4-3.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Mallards were down to their last strike with pinch hitter Joey Kalafut (Edgewood) up to bat. Kalafut reached out for a pitch and hit it between shortstop and third, hitting off Colin Summerhill’s glove at third. The tying run in Bryant Shellenbarer (Akron) scored.

The game then went to extras where Mallards returner Theo Denlinger (Bradley) slammed the door in the 10th with two strikeouts. He was credited with the win.

In the 10th, with the extra inning rule in affect, the Mallards loaded the bases with a passed ball and two intentional walks. The Pit Spitters got two big outs after that, but then Shellenbarger hit an infield single to walk it off for the Ducks.

Evan Gates picks up the loss for the Pit Spitters. He came in to pitch the 9th and blew the save, and was sent out for a second inning.

Next up for the Mallards will be game two of this series with Traverse City. First pitch for game two is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. as Ike Buxton (Lipscomb) will take the hill for the second time in a Mallards uniform.