Catcher Eric Nielsen and closer Bubba O’Donnell represented the Mallards in the 2007 Northwoods League All-Star Game Wednesday night in Mankato, Min. – the second of three NWL games captured by ESPNU. Both Mallards played significant roles in keeping the South Division squad in the game, as Nielsen contributed as a starting catcher, and O’Donnell came in as a reliever during the fifth.

Hitting in the eighth spot, Nielsen delivered a basehit, which dropped between three North Division players in shallow center field. He eventually made it around the bases, but was caught in a close play at home. The Mallards’ catcher repaid the favor by picking off Adam Kampsen (St. Cloud) and Shaver Hansen (Rochester) in the game. Nielsen finished 1-for-2 with one hit.

O’Donnell also made his presence known in the game, coming in to relieve Willy Kesler (Wisconsin) in the fifth after Kesler got in trouble, letting up a hit and a walk with two outs against the North All-Stars. O’Donnell’s first matchup loaded the bases, as he threw a pitch that hit the batter. Finding his spots during the next at-bat, O’Donnell worked quickly to strike the final batter of the inning out on four pitches. The Mallard finished his appearance after the inning and was replaced by Tim Huber (Eau Claire).

In the game, pitching dominated on both sides, as the teams divided 26 strikeouts and limited batters to nine hits.

The North recorded a two-run seventh and fended off the South Division’s rally in the ninth, sparked by Evan Bigley’s (La Crosse) ninth-inning homer. The game ended 3-2 with Kris Ruepke (Thunder Bay) earning the win and Ryan Wrobel (St. Cloud) taking the save.