Wausau, WI – The Madison Night Mares (35-6) rallied late to defeat the Wausau Ignite (21-19) on Friday night in a preview of next week’s Northwoods League Championship Series.

Neither team scored through the first three innings before Wausau broke through in the fourth. Marley Teasley (University of Washington) launched a two-run home run to put the Ignite in front, and Zoey Mills (Eastern Florida State College) kept the Night Mares off the scoreboard through 5.2 innings to preserve the 2-0 advantage.

Madison’s offense finally broke through in the sixth. Brooke Mannon (Indiana University) lined a two-run double to tie the game at 2-2, and Trinity Kennemer (Metropolitan State University of Denver) followed with a two-run homer to put the Night Mares in front, 4-2.

The Ignite answered in the bottom of the sixth when Quinn Marnocha (South Dakota State University) ripped an RBI triple to cut the deficit to one. With the tying run at third base, Night Mares pitcher Braylen Conlon (University of Iowa) induced a groundout to end the threat before retiring Wausau in the seventh to seal the 4-3 victory.

Conlon tossed a complete game to earn the win for Madison, while Riley Stiles (Lake Forest College) was charged with the loss for Wausau.

The Night Mares return to Warner Park on Saturday for their regular-season finale against the La Crosse Steam. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.