Warner Park was the scene of a pair of landmark achievements Thursday.

First, the Madison Mallards welcomed the millionth fan in the franchise's seven-year history — 10-year-old John Olsen of Elkhorn.

A few hours later the Mallards established a Northwoods League record with their 16th consecutive victory, a 10-2 win over Duluth watched by a crowd of 6,753.

"This is my third year here, and we've never really done anything like that," Mallards first baseman Randy Molina said. "We've had streaks here and there, but 16 in a row, that's a lot of games. It feels good, though, to continue that streak."

With their victory, the Mallards maintained a half-game lead over Eau Claire in the South Division with three regular-season games to play. Eau Claire beat host Alexandria 12-1.

"It'd be fun to kind of take this last part of the season in our own hands and determine whether we make the playoffs or not," Molina said.

Madison (38-26 overall, 22-8 second half) wasted little time getting on the board against the Huskies (28-27, 18-13). Molina and third baseman Bobby Hubbard each drove in runs in the bottom of the first to stake Mallards starter Eryk McConnell to an early lead.

While McConnell was cruising on the mound — he allowed only two hits over the first five innings — Madison padded its lead. A four-run fifth was highlighted by a two-run double by center fielder Evan LeBlanc, an RBI single by Hubbard and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Ryan Tinkoff.

Molina, who finished 4-for-4 with two RBIs, and Hubbard, who was 3-for-3 with three RBIs, each drove in runs during a four-run sixth. Adam Pasono also added an RBI double in the inning.

McConnell, meanwhile, allowed only two earned runs in seven innings of work. The collegiate closer from North Carolina State allowed five hits to win his third straight decision.

McConnell has allowed three earned runs over his last three starts.

"(I'm) just coming in with a different mentality," McConnell said of the transition to starting from closing. "I've got to pitch people differently. I can't throw them all the same because I'm going to face them two or three times a game."

The Mallards, who are vying to make the Northwoods League playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, face Duluth again tonight before a critical two-game series at home against Eau Claire this weekend to close the regular season.

"In all aspects of the game we're just playing so well," McConnell said. "Knock on wood, I don't want to jinx anything. ... We've got to keep it going."

Around the horn

If Madison makes the playoffs, it would play first-half South Division champion Green Bay in the first round. The team with the better overall record gets homefield advantage and will play host to Games 2 and 3 (if necessary). The Bullfrogs are 41-24. Each team has three games remaining. ... Mallards playoff tickets go on sale to the general public at noon today.