Alexandria, MN – July 9th, 2008. Outfielder Trent Soares (Fresno St.) and shortstop Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) helped the Madison Mallards come back against the Alexandria Beetles Wednesday evening for a 7-5 victory. Soares scored twice, knocked in three runs, and had three hits as he capped a three-run rally in the top of the 8th inning. The Mallards battle the Beetles again tomorrow night and will try to sweep the series before returning home from a ten-game road trip. Freshman right-hander Gabriel Shaw (Louisville) will be on the mound for the Ducks, with the game slated to start at 6:05 p.m.
The Mallards started the game strong with a Wikoff double followed by a Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) RBI single. Lyerly will be representing Madison in the 2008 Northwoods League All-Star game to be played this Monday, July 14th at Warner Park.
Pitcher Alex Rivers (Santa Clara) had a rough first inning, giving up three doubles and three runs. The right-hander then settled down, allowing just two base-runners over the next thirteen batters.
The Mallards would then be heard from in the fifth, scoring two more runs to tie the game on consecutive hits by Soares and Luke Stewart (UAB), followed by Aaron Bray (Charlotte) reaching on an error. While the Beetles had two errors, the Mallards were flawless in the field.
Rivers then faced more trouble in the bottom half, giving up a two-run homer to Beetle Keith Castillo (USC), then being pulled. He gave up five runs over four and 2/3 innings.
The Mallards never gave up though, and were able to push one across in the sixth, along with three runs in the eighth. Phil Gosselin (Virginia) led off with a single and the Mallards kept going, having the first five batters of the inning reach base. The result of the inning was a 7-5 Mallard lead that they would not relinquish.
Kyle Heim (Iowa) pitched 3.1 scoreless innings, picking up the win, and Reed Woytek (Baylor) closed the game for his fourth save of the season.
A reminder to all Mallards fans that 2008 Northwoods League All-Star Game tickets are still available. The Northwoods League Homerun Derby and the Home Talent All-Stars vs. Military All-Stars game will take place Sunday afternoon, July 13th, starting at 4:30 pm. The All-Star game itself will begin at 7:05 pm on Monday, July 14th. Come out and see your favorite Mallards Rob Lyerly, Matt Jansen (Purdue), Eric Nielsen (Purdue) and Gabriel Shaw take on the best talent in the Northwoods League! Call the Mallards ticket office at (608) 246-4277 for tickets today!
