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Mallards get some help in pennant chase
The Madison Mallards got a little unexpected help Wednesday in their quest for a first-half title in the South Division of the Northwoods League.
Waterloo staged a dramatic rally in its final at-bat, winning 2-1 on Taylor Lang's two-run single to prevent the visiting Wisconsin Woodchucks from securing a doubleheader sweep that would have pushed the Mallards to the brink of elimination.
So, the Mallards (20-11) -- whose game at Battle Creek was rained out -- head into the final night of play in the first half in a virtual tie with the Woodchucks (21-12).
Madison plays a doubleheader at Battle Creek on Thursday starting at 5:05 p.m. Central time. Each game will be seven innings with the second contest beginning 30 minutes after the first.
Wisconsin wraps up with a single game at Waterloo, starting at 7:05 p.m.
Both games will be available on the Internet via live audio streaming at the team sites.
The Mallards control their own destiny; with a doubleheader sweep, they clinch their fifth playoff appearance in six seasons regardless of what happens in Waterloo.
However, should Wisconsin win and Madison lose even one game, the title would go to the Woodchucks.
Wisconsin pounded Waterloo 11-1 in the opener of their doubleheader Wednesday and carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, the final frame, having held the Bucks (14-17) to just one hit.
But Steven Irvine opened with a leadoff single, and Bryan Resnick drew a walk to put two runners on base with no outs. They advanced to second and third base on a sacrifice bunt by Mike Rogers. Then Lang knocked a 1-2 pitch through the left side of the drawn-in infield, scoring both runners to secure the win.
Meanwhile, Mankato wrapped up the North Division first-half title.
