Madison, WI – June 26, 2008. With back-to-back series sweeps under their belts, the Mallards return to the “Duck Pond” tonight for a showdown with Brainerd. Right-hander Alex Rivers will get the start for the Mallards. Tonight will feature the MAYSA Mascot Soccer Game sponsored by Quench Gum & Break Away Sports. Come see local mascots battle for supremacy! Great seats still remain for tonight’s game.

Brainerd Blue Thunder (8-13) at Madison Mallards (16-9)
June 26, 2008 – 7:05 p.m. (CT)
Warner Park – Madison, WI

Pitching Probables:
RHP Alex Rivers (MAD) – 1 GS, 7.0 IP, 0-0, 1.29 ERA
RHP Kris Jiggitts (BRA) – 4 GS, 22.1 IP, 1-3, 5.64 ERA

Mallards records:
– 2-0 vs. Brainerd
– 7-7 at home
– 9-2 on road
– 11-4 vs. South Division
– 5-5 vs. North Division

Madison is…
– 11-3 when scoring first
– 3-3 in extra innings
– 7-2 in one-run games
– 11-1 when leading after 7 innings
– 11-1 when outhitting its opponent
– 10-0 when scoring 7+ runs
– 14-7 when allowing fewer than 7 runs
– 11-1 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent

Last time out for the Mallards: W 7-5 (6) at Thunder Bay, June 25
The Mallards continued their solid play at the right time, defeating the Thunder Bay Border Cats 7-5 in a rain-shortened game to earn the series sweep. The Mallards have now won four straight and move to two games behind first-place Wisconsin with eight to play in the first half. The two squads played just five-and-a-half innings tonight, as rain moved through the area and the field became unplayable after a 77-minute rain delay.
Luke Stewart (UAB) rebounded nicely from a couple of rough games, going 2-for-3 with a run. Josh Groves (UW-Milwaukee) was also 2-for-3 with two driven in. Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) knocked in a pair of runs as well. Brandon Johnson (Western Carolina) earned the win with two innings of relief.

Mallards Musings:
-In his last three games Phil Gosselin (Virginia) is hitting .500 (7-for-14) with a pair of game-winning hits. He has also scored two runs and driven in five more during the span.
-With a win on Wednesday at Thunder Bay, Brandon Johnson (Western Carolina) moves into a tie for the league lead in wins with four.
-Following a day out of the lineup on June 17 Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) is 12-for-27 (.444) in his last seven games, pushing his batting average back above the .300 mark to .326. 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 third-most in the league.
-Luke Stewart (UAB) is tied for third in the Northwoods League with three home runs.
-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.
-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:
Mallards Alan Ahmady and Trent Soares will arrive in Madison as College World Series Champions. The Fresno State Bulldogs defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 6-1 Wednesday night to win the College World Series two games to one. Ahmady had a remarkable postseason to conclude a breakout 2008 campaign, going 17-for-48 (.354) in Fresno State’s 13 postseason games. He drove in 12 runs and scored 10 more. In 2008 Ahmady hit .386 and drove in 92 runs, a total that was good for second in the NCAA. After losing game one to Georgia 7-6 on Monday night, the Bulldogs evened the series on Tuesday with a 19-10 win and then wrapped up the championship with a 6-1 victory on Wednesday night. It is Fresno State’s first baseball championship in school history.

The Mallards and the Blue Thunder will do battle once more on Friday night at the “Duck Pond.” It will be Concordia University “Happy Days” Night at the ballpark. Come out and get a chance to meet “Potsie” Anson Williams and participate in other great ’50s promotions! Also, the first 750 adults 21 & over will receive a Budweiser Pint Glass featuring Mallards Manager C.J. Thieleke.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting mallardsbaseball.com or by calling 608.246.4277.