Mallards Weekend Update

The past week proved to be successful for three players signed to play for the Mallards in 2004. Jake Hansen and Ryan Zink both picked up wins, and Jeff Bieker set a school record for home runs hit in a season.

Hansen, a sophomore at Northern Iowa, picked up his second win of the season on Wednesday afternoon. The returning Mallards all-star struck out seven batters in six innings of work. The win improved Hansen?s record to 2-3 this season. Last summer Hansen registered a 1.23 ERA with the Mallards, earning him the second best single season ERA in Northwoods League history.

In addition to Hansen, Madison native Ryan Zink earned his sixth win of the season on Saturday afternoon. The Illinois-Chicago freshman struck out 11 batters in seven innings of work while giving up only one run. The victory improved Zink?s record to 6-3 on the season and lowered his ERA to 2.30. In his first collegiate season, the 2003 Madison Lafollette grad has struck out 68 batters in 70.1 innings.

Along with Hansen and Zink, Fort Hays State sophomore Jeff Bieker had a weekend he won?t soon forget. On Saturday afternoon Bieker launched his 21st home run of the season, giving him the school?s single season home run record. Bieker then added to that record on Sunday afternoon by hitting two more home runs. With his team failing to make the post season, Bieker ended his season with a .436 batting average and 70 RBI to go along with his record setting 23 home runs.

The Mallards begin the 2004 season on June 2nd against the Wisconsin Woodchucks in Wausau. The home portion of the season starts on June 9th at 7:05 PM against the Mankato MoonDogs. Tickets are now available at The Duck Pond and at mallardsbaseball.com.