The Mallards look to go over the .500 mark in the season series versus Eau Claire, when they take on the Express at 7:05 p.m. tonight, June 12, 2006, at Carson Park.

The Mallards (7-3) went 1-1 versus Eau Claire (5-5) in the first series between the two teams, June 5 and 6 in Eau Claire. Since that time, the Mallards have gone 4-0.

Eau Claire has been more up and down, amassing a 2-2 record in that same time. The Express swept a two-game set versus Waterloo but were then swept by Rochester in their very next series.

Madison won the season series last year, 7-1, which is also the Mallards all-time record against the Express, as last season was Eau Claire?s first.

Adam Mills gets the starting nod tonight for C.J. Thieleke?s Mallards. It will be his first start of the season for the Ducks after joining the team on Monday.

Last summer, Mills anchored a Mallards staff that set a new team record for ERA (2.38). Mills personally threw for a 1.00 ERA in 2005, the lowest in Mallards history, and second lowest in NWL history. He was named to both the midseason and postseason All-Star teams while amassing a 6-2 record. Over 72.1 innings pitched, Mills struck out 62 while walking only 10. He held opposing batters to a mere .233 average.

This spring with UNC-Charlotte, Mills started 17 games while completing five of them and earning an 8-5 record. While pitching 114 innings, he struck out 111 while walking just 19. He gave up 110 hits and 52 runs, but only 38 of those runs were earned.

The Mallards return to the Duck Pond on June 16 to face the Duluth Huskies on the Neckerman Agency Madison Blues Turn-Back-the-Clock-Night. The Mallards will be sporting replica 1940s style Madison Blues uniforms and the first 1,000 fans will receive a free replica Blues hat. Live Blues music, presented by Madison Magazine, will take place on the Duck Blind pre- and post- game with Westside Andy and Mel Ford Band. Stick around after the game for human cannonball David ?The Bullet? Smith.