In their first game away from the Duck Pond, and the team?s first contest against the Brainerd Blue Thunder, the Mallards rode the arm of Casey Baron and scored five early runs en route to a 7-3 victory over the Blue Thunder.

Baron lasted seven strong innings in his in his first start of the season and Matt Petty pitched the final two innings as the Mallards won their fourth game of the season. The Mallards scored twice in the first inning, three times in the second and never looked back from there.

Jeff Bieker and Dan Melvin each recorded two hits and two RBI in addition to scoring a run. Nate Trumm continued his hot start to the 2005 season, going two for three with an RBI and a run scored.

The 2005 Mallards are off to a much different start than last year?s championship team, reversing last season?s 1-4 start with a 4-1 start in 2005.

The Mallards and Blue Thunder square off again tomorrow night in Brainerd at 7:05 p.m. The team returns home for an off day on Tuesday before playing ten of their next 12 games at home, including a six-game home stand starting Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. against the expansion Eau Claire Express. Tickets for the home stand and all Mallards home games are available by phone, 246.4277, online, www.mallardsbaseball.com, and at the Mallards front office.