MADISON, WI – The Rockford Rivets (13-12) traveled to Wisconsin on Thursday night to begin a two-game series against the Madison Mallards (11-16). The Rivets came into the matchup on a four-game winning streak, making a late surge to battle for a playoff spot at the top of the division.

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Rockford’s winning ways came to an end, suffering a 2-0 shutout loss to the Mallards. The bats for the Rivets cooled down, managing just four hits in the defeat.

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Right-handed pitcher Ethan McDonald (Eureka College) made his third start of the season for Rockford, and he made six total appearances on the year. Through six innings, McDonald allowed two runs on six hits, limiting the Mallards offensively.

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Madison struck first in the bottom of the second inning, putting two runners on with two outs. An RBI single to left field gave them the early 1-0 lead, as McDonald limited the damage, stranding two runners on base.

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In the bottom of the third, the Mallards earned a one-out single, eventually bringing the runner into scoring position at third base. Another RBI single made it a two-run lead, as the Rivets offensively had just one base runner through the first three innings.

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Jackson Forbes (University of Arizona) began the top of the fourth with a leadoff single, making it the Screws’ second hit of the game. Joey Appino (Carroll University) brought Forbes to third with a single of his own, raising his hit total to 24 on the year. The Rivets were unable to capitalize on the runner in scoring position, striking out in the frame and remaining scoreless.

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The Mallards shut down Rockford, with three straight 1-2-3 innings following the fourth. The Rivets totaled three hits through the first six frames of the matchup, unable to get any momentum going in the night.

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In the top of the eighth, Ashton Zacher (Lamar University) and Coby Neville (Paradise Valley CC) drew back-to-back walks, putting two runners on with no outs. Beau Bloxdorf (Madison CC) advanced both runners into scoring position following a groundout, giving the Rivets their best opportunity of the night.

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Unfortunately for Rockford, the Mallards were able to escape the inning with two straight outs, keeping a 2-0 lead. Madison closed the final frame with a double play and a groundout, snapping the Rivets’ four-game winning streak and shutting them out in game one.

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In the 27 straight innings the Rivets have played against the Mallards this season, they’ve been unable to score a single run. The Screws will look to turn that stat around tomorrow at 6:35 p.m., in game two for the series finale.