Madison, WI – June 25, 2008. The Mallards won their third straight extra-inning game last night at Thunder Bay and will try to make it four straight wins tonight at 6:05 p.m. (CT). Phil Gosselin (Virginia) tripled home Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) in the 10th to give the Mallards a 1-0 lead they would not give back. Right-hander Scott Heitshusen (Kansas) will take the game ball for the Mallards for his fourth start of the season.
Madison Mallards (15-9) at Thunder Bay Border Cats (12-13)
June 25, 2008 – 6:05 p.m. (CT)
Port Arthur Stadium – Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Pitching Probables:
RHP Scott Heitshusen (MAD) – 3 GS, 21.0 IP, 2-1, 3.86 ERA
RHP Brett Brach (TB) – 4 GS, 27.0 IP, 1-4, 3.33 ERA
Mallards records:
– 1-2 vs. Thunder Bay
– 7-7 at home
– 8-2 on road
– 11-4 vs. South Division
– 4-5 vs. North Division
Madison is…
– 10-3 when scoring first
– 3-3 in extra innings
– 7-2 in one-run games
– 11-1 when leading after 7 innings
– 10-1 when outhitting its opponent
– 9-0 when scoring 7+ runs
– 13-7 when allowing fewer than 7 runs
– 11-1 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
Last time out for the Mallards: W 1-0 (10) at Thunder Bay, June 24
A Phil Gosselin (Virginia) triple to score Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) in the 10th inning ended a scoreless tie and Nathan Kafka (Minn. State) picked up his second save in a nail-biting 1-0 Mallards victory over the Thunder Bay Border Cats Tuesday night. In a game that featured a combined 25 strikeouts and only eight hits even with an extra frame, pitcher Matt Jansen (Purdue) set the tone early by scattering two hits over six innings before passing the ball to short-arm reliever Bryan Hamilton (Charlotte) who preserved the tie heading into the bottom of the 10th inning. The win keeps the Mallards three games behind first-place Wisconsin and one game behind second-place La Crosse, as both teams won their games yesterday.
Mallards Musings:
-Rob Lyerly’s (Charlotte) 12-game hitting streak dating back to June 11 ended with a 0-for-2 performance at Thunder Bay on June 24. He hit .380 with 11 runs scored and four doubles during the streak. It is the second-longest hitting streak in the Northwoods League this season.
-Following a day out of the lineup on June 17 Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) is 11-for-25 (.440) in his last six games, pushing his batting average back above the .300 mark to .322. 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 32 innings pitched over five starts and a relief appearance he has allowed just four earned runs (1.13 ERA). He is 2-0 on the season, and opponents are hitting just .193 against the left-hander. The 32 innings Jansen has worked are second-most in the league.
-Luke Stewart (UAB) is tied for third in the Northwoods League with three home runs.
-From the beginning of the season on May 29 until June 15 Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) reached base in 16 consecutive games.
College World Series Update:
Future Mallard Alan Ahmady (Fresno State) was 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored in Fresno State’s 19-10 pounding of Georgia in game two of the College World Series. Another future Mallard, Trent Soares, had a late pinch-running appearance. The series is now tied at one game apiece. In Georgia’s game one win on Monday he was 1-for-3 with a walk. The two teams will square off tonight to determine the World Series champion at 6:05 (CT) on ESPN.
Following tonight’s game at Thunder Bay, the Mallards return home for two games against Brainerd on Thursday and Friday. Thursday is MAYSA Mascot Soccer Game sponsored by Quench Gum & Break Away Sports. Come see local mascots battle for supremacy!
On Friday the Mallards will welcome “Potsie” Anson Williams from Happy Days fame to the ballpark! Williams will sign free autographs throughout the game! It is also Manager C.J. Thieleke Budweiser Pint Glass Night (first 750 fans 21 & older). Great seats still remain for both games against the Blue Thunder. Visit mallardsbaseball.com or call 608.246.4277 to buy tickets.
