Madison, WI – June 22, 2008. The Mallards will go for the sweep this afternoon against the Wisconsin Woodchucks on the heels of last night’s 7-6 Mallards win in 10 innings. A win tonight would move the Mallards within three games of first place. Joe Yermal (Charlotte) will try to get the job done, and he will face off against Wisconsin right-hander Rob Currie. First pitch is slated for 3:05, and gates open at 1:30. Great seats still remain.
Wisconsin Woodchucks (17-5) at Madison Mallards (13-9)
June 22, 2008 – 3:05 p.m. (CT)
Warner Park – Madison, WI
Pitching Probables:
RHP Joe Yermal (MAD) – 2 GS, 10.0 IP, 0-0, 1.80 ERA
RHP Rob Currie (WIS) – 2 GS, 20.0 IP, 1-0, 1.35 ERA
Mallards records:
– 1-0 vs. Wisconsin
– 6-7 at home
– 7-2 on road
– 10-4 vs. South Division
– 3-5 vs. North Division
Madison is…
– 8-3 when scoring first
– 1-2 in extra innings
– 5-2 in one-run games
– 9-1 when leading after 7 innings
– 8-1 when outhitting its opponent
– 8-0 when scoring 7+ runs
– 12-7 when allowing fewer than 7 runs
– 10-1 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
Last time out for the Mallards: W 7-6 (10) vs. Wisconsin, June 21
The Madison Mallards and the Northwoods League South Division-leading Wisconsin Woodchucks needed an extra frame to decide the outcome, where the Mallards emerged with the 7-6 win in front of a season-high 6,753 at the “Duck Pond.” The Mallards loaded the bases with nobody out, and Josh Groves (UW-Milwaukee) drew a walk to bring in Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) for the winning run. With the win the Mallards closed the gap between them and the Woodchucks and are now four games back. The game featured four ties and four lead changes. Aaron Bray (Charlotte), Brandon Wikoff (Illinois), Luke Stewart (UAB) and Lyerly all had two hits apiece for the Mallards, who overcame five errors in the contest. Bray scored two runs, including the tying run in the bottom of the ninth. Wikoff reached base three times and also added a run scored. The Woodchucks got three hits from Troy Frazier and Bobby Pritchett, to account for six of their nine hits. Pritchett also had three RBIs.
Mallards Musings:
-Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) is currently on an 11-game hitting streak, dating back to June 11. He is hitting .386 during the streak.
-Following a day out of the lineup on June 17 Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) is 8-for-16 (.500) in his last four games, pushing his batting average back above the .300 mark to .321. He was 2-for-10 in the three games prior to his day off.
-Matt Jansen (Purdue) continues to pitch well and make a strong case for mid-season all-star honors. In 26 innings pitched over four starts and a relief appearance he has allowed just four earned runs (1.38 ERA). He is 2-0 on the season, and opponents are hitting just .213 against the left-hander.
-Luke Stewart (UAB) is tied for second in the Northwoods League with three home runs.
-The Mallards will play their second twin-bill of the season at La Crosse on July 21 to make up for a game that was rained out.
