Madison’s begins Second Half by sweeping Wisconsin Rapids away from home

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Mallards earned their first sweep over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters since the summer of 2019 with their 9-3 victory on Wednesday night at Witter Field.

Unlike yesterday night, Madison was on the board first in the top of the 2nd. The explosive five-run inning began with a two-out double from Davis Hamilton to score Isaiah Jackson. One batter later, Cal Fisher hit his first of two homers on the night to give the Mallards a 3-0 lead. Donnie Scott’s crew would go on to add two more in the frame on singles hit by Jake Holcroft and Keenan Taylor, forcing Rafters’ starter Josh Howitt from the game after hitting the 35-pitch limit. Howitt had only allowed one earned run over 23 innings entering tonight. Madison got to the lefty for five in the 2nd.

Just like Howitt for Wisconsin Rapids, Isaac Milburn was chased from the game due to hitting the single-inning pitch limit in the 3rd by running three counts full and scoring two to cut into the Madison lead, 5-2. The Mallards responded to the Rafters offense with Fisher’s second home run of the day. His solo blast to left field was his third longball of the series. Before Wisconsin Rapids could counter, Madison scored three more in the 6th and 7th innings including Fisher’s 4th run driven in of the game in the 7th.

The Rafters scored one run against Nick West, who made his debut tonight, in the bottom of the 8th. Wisconsin Rapids threatened heavily in the 8th and the 9th innings but two different double plays propelled the Mallards to the win. The Rafters left 12 on base in their third consecutive loss.

Madison’s sweep of Wisconsin Rapids evens the season series between the two rivals at 3-3. It also moves the Mallards to 2-0 in the Second Half prior to beginning a home-and-home series with the Kenosha Kingfish. Game one between the Mallards and Kingfish is slated for 6:35 P.M. CST on Thursday night at Simmons Field.