A storybook ending was the only possible way to wrap up a storybook season for the Madison Mallards. With no one out in the bottom of the eleventh inning Jay Johnson laid a bunt down the third base line in attempt to move second base occupant Doug Beck to third. An errant throw allowed Beck to score the championship winning run sending a raucous playoff record crowd of 5,310 into an uproar, as the Mallards defeated the Duluth Huskies 4-3 Saturday to claim their first-ever Northwoods League Championship, closing the books on an unforgettable 2004 season.
Things looked great from the get-go for the Mallards as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Greg Thomson scored on a Doug Beck double and Jeff Bieker added a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-0. In the fourth inning the Mallards added to their lead after John Martin provided a clutch two-out RBI, scoring Chad Frk. Madison native Ryan Zink started the game for the Ducks, pitching seven brilliant innings. The La Follette grad struck out six while walking only one without allowing a run.
The Huskies refused to quit, as they stormed back to tie the game at three in the eighth after scoring three runs off Zach Peterson. Rocky Russo hit a home run into the Bacardi Backyard just over the outstretched hands of Ryan Rogowski to cut the Mallards lead to one. Gilbert Gil doubled in the third Duluth run later that inning to keep the champagne on ice for just a short while longer. The game went into extra innings, and the Huskies had plenty of chances to win the game, even wasting a leadoff triple in the tenth inning. Matt Petty worked out of the jam to preserve the tie and Mark Moriarty pitched the eleventh to earn the victory. After giving Duluth their opportunities the Mallards wanted no part of a 12th inning and Doug Beck and Jay Johnson provided the heroics, giving the Madison Mallards their first ever league championship, sweeping the best-of-three Championship series, 2-0.
Doug Beck was named MVP of the playoffs, helping the Mallards sweep both La Crosse and Duluth. The Mallards finished the season with a league best 46-22 record including the playoffs. The Mallards organization would like to thank all the fans that have helped make Mallards baseball what it is today! Only nine months remain before the Mallards defend their Northwoods League crown.
