Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Madison Mallards (37-27) outlasted the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (19-45) in an extra-inning thriller on Monday night.
Wisconsin Rapids struck first with a run in the opening inning, but the Mallards responded with a four-run third. Jonah Weathers (University of Louisville) tied the game with an RBI single before Jack Bello (University of Minnesota) ripped a two-run double to put Madison in front, 3-1. Preston Yaucher (Penn State University) added an RBI single later in the inning to extend the lead to 4-1.
The Rafters answered with a five-run bottom of the third to reclaim the lead. Danny Gavin (Butler University) drove in a run with an RBI single before Bennett Crerar (Princeton University) tied the game with a two-run double. Aidan Thaxton (Butler University) followed with an RBI single to put Wisconsin Rapids ahead, and the Rafters added another run later in the inning for a 6-4 advantage.
Madison erupted in the sixth to swing the momentum back in its favor. The Mallards cut the deficit to one on a Rafters error before Weathers crushed a grand slam to give Madison a 9-6 lead. Bello followed with a solo home run, and another run later in the frame stretched the advantage to 11-6.
The game took another dramatic turn in the bottom of the seventh, as Wisconsin Rapids scored six runs to surge back in front, 13-11. Facing their final three outs in the ninth, the Mallards rallied once again. Davis Hamilton (University of Minnesota) brought home a run with a groundout to cut the deficit to one, and the tying run crossed the plate on a Rafters error to force extra innings.
Madison took the lead for good in the 10th. Bello scored on a groundout to make it 14-13 before Aiden Arnett (Virginia Tech) added an insurance run by scoring on another Wisconsin Rapids error. The Rafters pushed across one run in the bottom of the inning, but the Mallards closed the door to secure the thrilling 15-14 victory.
Brayden Kottschade (Southeastern Community College) earned the win on the mound for the Mallards. Blaine Davis (Northern Oklahoma Enid CC) took the loss for Wisconsin Rapids.
The Mallards and Rafters return to Warner Park on Tuesday for the second game of the home-and-home series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
