Mequon, WI – The Madison Mallards defeated the Lakeshore Chinooks in dominant fashion to sweep the best-of-three series and advance to the Great Lakes Championship.

The Mallards set the tone in the first inning. Jack Bello (University of Minnesota) hit a two-run single to give Madison a 2-0 lead, and Nate Novinska (University of Illinois) followed with a two-run single to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Chinooks scored two runs in the bottom of the first to cut the lead in half, but Madison continued its offensive attack in the second. Bello hit an RBI single to put Madison ahead 5-2, before Davis Hamilton (University of Minnesota) drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 6-2. Charlie Schau (Minnesota State University) was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, putting the Mallards ahead 7-2.

The Chinooks got a run back in the third, but Madison continued to pull away in the fifth. Ashton Quiller (Arkansas State University) hit a two-run single to give the Mallards a 9-3 advantage, and Arnett followed with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 10-3.

The Mallards pitching staff continued its strong series. Chase Baker (Indiana State University) threw 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, while Eamonn Mulhern (St. Cloud State University) pitched the final two innings to close out the 11-4 victory.

Baker earned the win for the Mallards, while Nate Ciemny (University of Wisconsin-Parkside) took the loss for the Chinooks. Bello and Novinska each finished with three hits, while Quiller drove in three runs as the Mallards dominated for the second straight day.

With the win, the Mallards advanced to the Great Lakes Championship. Madison will host the Royal Oak Leprechauns at Warner Park on Tuesday night at 6:05 p.m. The winner will advance to the Northwoods League Summer Collegiate World Series.