With two games left to play in the first half of the 2004 Northwoods League season, the Mallards are peaking at the right time. Winners of now four straight, the Mallards have put themselves in a position to contend for a first-half South Division championship. Tonight the Mallards rode the arm of Ricky Bauer in a 5-2 defeat of the Waterloo Bucks, giving the Ducks two consecutive series sweeps at home.

Bauer (2-2) struck out seven batters in six innings while giving up only two runs to get the win. Zach Peterson and newcomer Matt Petty each pitched one inning of scoreless relief before giving way to D.J. Roshone, who slammed the door on the Bucks, striking out two batters en route to earning his seventh save.

Chad Frk and Greg Thomson each went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Mallards. Madison also got an RBI apiece from Jeff Bieker and Ryan Rogowski, and scored their other run on a wild pitch.

The Mallards (17-12) look to continue their ascent in the standings tomorrow, as the homestand continues against the Alexandria Beetles. Game time is 5:05 p.m. Tickets for all Mallards games are available online at www.mallardsbaseball.com and at our office located on 2920 N. Sherman Ave.