Wisconsin Rapids, WI – In a classic of a game that featured 29 runs, 35 hits, and multiple lead changes, the Madison Mallards (37-27) recorded their 11th win of the summer against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (19-45), defeating them, 15-14, on Monday night at Historic Witter Field.

This was the first game of the summer to go to extras at Witter Field this summer. Entering Monday, the Mallards and Rafters have squared off 10 times, with Madison winning all 10 games. Madison, the 1st Half Division Winners, has struggled in the 2nd half, sitting in 5th place with a 12-17 record, and were in need of a tune-up before their upcoming playoff race.

The Rafters struck early in the bottom of the first when Kedren Kinzie drove in Gaard Swenson with a single, his 9th RBI of the season. The Rafters would hold the lead until the top of the 3rd, when Madison tacked on four runs, highlighted by a Jack Bello 2-run double.

Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the third, the Rafters responded with five runs of their own. Casey Wambach, Danny Gavin, Bennett Crerar, and Aidan Thaxton all drove in runs in the frame, putting the Rafters ahead 6-4.

The score would remain the same until the 6th inning, when Madison erupted for seven runs. Jonah Weathers would smash his second grand slam of the summer against the Rafters and after the third out, Madison held a commanding 11-6 lead.

Wisconsin Rapids showed off their resiliency when they scored seven unanswered, including six runs in the 7th inning, giving them a 13-11 lead. After a Josiah Palomino 2-run single, Gaard Swenson followed up with a 2-run double, collecting his 3rd and 4th RBIs in just his sixth game of the season.

Down by two runs in the 9th, Madison would tie the game with Jonah Weathers and Davis Hamilton driving in runs. The Rafters had a chance to walk it off in the 9th, but OF Jonah Weathers threw out the game winning run in Gaard Swenson at the plate, in what was truly one of the best defensive plays you’ll see all season long.

The Mallards would score two in the 10th, lifting them to the 15-14 victory.

Brayden Kottschade (1-0) recorded his first win of the season, allowing just one hit and striking out two in the final three innings of the game. Blaine Davis (1-6) received his sixth loss of the summer after being tagged for two earned runs with two strikeouts in the last three innings of the game.

Madison and Wisconsin Rapids square off for the 12th and final time of the summer on Tuesday, at 6:35pm from Warner Park. You can listen to Rafters games on WFHR 1320 AM/97.5 FM.