WAUSAU — Starting pitcher Alex Rivers earned his first victory of the season as the Madison Mallards opened the second half of the Northwoods League amateur baseball season with a 9-2 victory over the Wisconsin Woodchucks on Friday night.

The right-hander (1-1) allowed six hits and two earned runs over five innings, and his quality start was backed up by four innings of scoreless relief by Dan Burawa, who recorded seven strikeouts en route to his first save of the season.

In addition to a strong showing on the mound, the Mallards got plenty of production at the plate courtesy of two-run homers by first baseman Harold Riggins  (sixth of the season) and designated hitter Troy Channing.

Madison finished with 14 hits, and every starter finished with either a hit or an RBI.

Former Sun Prairie athlete Kurtis Muller went 3-for-6, drove in a run and stole his 11th base of the season, and Mark Ginther, Joe Patterson, John Hicks and Jacob Esch each added two hits.