Three Northwoods League cities hosted the Swedish National Team this week in a series of exhibition games. The Swedes made stops in Brainerd, La Crosse and Madison on Monday through Wednesday. Regular season play for the NWL teams opens up Thursday night.

The Madison Mallards routed the Swedish National Team 14-5 in a shortened six-inning game Wednesday night in front of 1,024 fans at the Duck Pond. After allowing two unearned runs in the top of the first inning, the Mallards never looked back. They scored six runs with two outs in the bottom of the first, and didn’t relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game. The Mallards had a string of eight straight batters who reached base, totaling the six runs. As for pitching, no Mallard hurler gave up a hit until the top of the sixth inning.

Tuesday the La Crosse Loggers were hosts as Team Sweden came out on top 7-5 in front of 1,213 fans. The Swedes jumped out to a 7-0 lead but La Crosse would make it a tight game late with a big five-run eighth inning but could come no closer for the final margin.

The Swedes played in Brainerd Monday night against a collection of area amateur players giving the new look Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers staff a chance to prepare for their opening night Thursday against the St. Cloud River Bats. The Swedes were victorious in the game, 3-2.