Moments after hearing over the P.A. in Mankato that Rochester had defeated the Wisconsin Woodchucks 5-4 to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Mallards scored the game?s only run in the top of the tenth inning to defeat the Mankato MoonDogs 1-0, halting the Honkers playoff hopes, and propelling the Mallards into the playoffs for the third straight season.

After one error allowed Ryan Rogowski to advance to third, a throwing error by the second baseman off a groundball from Mike Rohde allowed Rogowski to scamper home and put the Mallards on top 1-0.

Matt Petty made things interesting in the bottom half of the tenth, loading the bases with one out before weaseling his way out of a jam, striking out one and getting the final out on a fly ball to deep center field. The Mallards finish the first half with a 23-11 record including eight straight victories, edging the Rochester Honkers by a single game for the first-half championship.

Mallards? starter Rick Rivas was lights out, pitching seven strong innings allowing only four hits while striking out ten and walking just one. Mike Creevy earned the victory for Madison, pitching one and one-third innings of scoreless relief.

The Mallards will make an official announcement regarding playoff tickets Monday, July 11th. Season ticket holders will be given the first opportunity to purchase tickets and those who wish to purchase tickets to all four potential playoff games will be given second priority. The Mallards first home playoff game will be either August 15th or 16th depending on the outcome of overall league records.

The Mallards begin the second-half of the 2005 campaign Friday night in Waterloo, taking on the Bucks in the first of a two game series. The Mallards next home game is Friday, July 22nd against the La Crosse Loggers at 7:05 p.m. Great seats for all remaining Mallards home games are available both online, at www.mallardsbaseball.com or by phone at 246.4277.