Madison, WI – June 14, 2008. In the middle of a 14-game homestand, the Mallards will try for the series sweep against the Battle Creek Bombers tonight. Mallards right-hander Scott Heitshusen (Kansas) will face off against Bombers righty Nick Hoover. Game time is 6:05 p.m., with gates opening at 4:30. Great seats still remain.

Battle Creek Bombers (4-11) at Madison Mallards (8-5)
June 14, 2008 – 6:05 p.m. (CT)
Warner Park – Madison, WI

Pitching Probables:
RHP Scott Heitshusen (MAD) – 1 GS, 8.0 IP, 1-0, 5.63 ERA
RHP Nick Hoover (BC) – 0 GS, 0.0 IP, 0-0, 0.00 ERA

Mallards records:
– 1-0 vs. Battle Creek
– 3-4 at home
– 5-1 on road
– 5-2 vs. South Division
– 3-3 vs. North Division

Madison is…
– 5-1 when scoring first
– 0-2 in extra innings
– 7-0 when leading after 7 innings
– 6-1 when outhitting its opponent
– 6-0 when scoring 7+ runs
– 7-4 when allowing fewer than 7 runs
– 8-1 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
– 7-1 when wearing red jerseys
– 1-4 when wearing white jerseys

Mallards and Waterloo Bucks rained out:
Thursday night’s game between the Madison Mallards and the Waterloo Bucks was rained out. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday, which is the next time the Bucks come to town. It will be two seven-inning games. The first game will start at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday, with the second game starting 30 minutes after the completion of the first. Fans who purchased tickets for Thursday’s game can bring them to the ticket office at the “Duck Pond” to exchange them for tickets for Sunday’s doubleheader or Monday’s game.

Location and weather change for Waterloo series:
The Mallards will be at home Friday and Saturday against Battle Creek as well as Sunday and Monday for games against Waterloo that were originally scheduled to take place at Waterloo. But Waterloo’s field has become unplayable due to recent heavy rains, forcing the series to be shifted to the “Duck Pond.” Waterloo will remain the home team. Because of Thursday’s rainout against Waterloo, Sunday will be a doubleheader with the first pitch of the first game set for 1:05 p.m. The second game will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. All general admission tickets for the games are just 7 dollars, and for an unprecedented 12 dollars fans can receive a ticket and an all-you-can eat-and-drink menu option for unlimited hot dogs, brats, popcorn and soda through the fifth inning. Fans who bought tickets for Thursday’s game can redeem them at the Mallards Box Office for tickets to Sunday’s doubleheader or Monday’s game.

Last time out for the Mallards: W 7-2 vs. Battle Creek, June 13
Another strong outing on the hill by Matt Jansen (Purdue, pictured left) and two hits apiece by a quartet of hitters paced the Mallards to a 7-2 victory over the Battle Creek Bombers in front of 5,875 fans at the “Duck Pond.” Jansen gave up his first runs of the season but earned the win with six innings pitched, scattering seven hits and allowing just two runs. Three Mallards relievers pitched an inning each to finish the game, allowing just one base hit the rest of the way. The win snaps a three-game home losing streak for the Mallards, and moves their record to 8-5. Phil Gosselin (Virginia), Rob Lyerly (Charlotte), Eric Nielsen (Purdue) and Brian Smith (Northern Illinois) each had two hits to account for eight of the 12 Mallards hits on the night. Gosselin finished the night 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Lyerly drove in three and also scored a run, while Smith went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a hit-by-pitch. Lyerly is now 6-for-8 with five RBIs and four runs scored in his last two games.

Mallards Musings:
-Rob Lyerly has been on a tear since arriving in Madison. In five games he is hitting .421 (8-19) with seven RBIs, four runs scored and an on-base percentage of .500.
-After 11.1 innings pitched in two starts Bryan Earley has yet to allow an earned run. He has struck out 10 and walked five.
-The Mallards offense has been patient at the plate to begin the season, drawing 69 walks in 13 games so far. That checks in second in the Northwoods League.
-The Mallards pitching staff has charged out of the gate to start the 2008 season, and is currently second in the league with a 2.34 ERA.
-The basepaths have been friendly to the Mallards so far this season. The team currently has an 85% success rate trying to steal (23-27).
-Mother Nature has cost the Mallards two games so far this season, both of which will be made up as parts of doubleheaders. They will play a twin-bill against Waterloo on Sunday, and will face La Crosse twice on July 21.