NWL Friday: Mallards 8, Express 6 (F-12 inn.) - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

Madison (WQOW) -- The road woes continue for the Express, which loses a heartbreaker to the Mallards at Warner Park, 8-6, in 12 innings.

Madison's Tom Verdi, with 2 outs in the bottom of the 12th, slugs a 2-run homer on a 2-2 pitch from Eau Claire reliever Tony Vocca.

The Express takes a 6-4 lead on a 10th inning, 2-run homer by Josh Scheffert, but the Mallards tie it on the bottom half of the frame, as Vocca gives up a 2-run homer to Jeff Zimmerman. 

Eau Claire takes a 1st inning lead on a 2-run homer from Casey Gillaspie, his second in as many nights, but the Mallards grab a 3-2 lead on a 5th inning 2-run shot by Tyler Marincov.  Scheffert ties tie game 4-4 in the 8th, with a 2-run homer to straightaway center field.

Gillaspie and Scheffert each have huge nights at the plate, as each goes 3-5 with 2 runs scored. Scheffert drives in 4 runs, while Gillaspie has 2 RBI.

The Express had hoped to start strong in the second half of the Northwoods League season, but the team suffers its second straight loss in Madison.  Eau Claire is now 3-15 away from Carson Park in 2012.

The two teams will close out their series with a 6:35 P.M. game Saturday at Warner Park