Madison, WI – July 11. The Mallards will enjoy some home-cooking for the first time since June 29 tonight, as they welcome the first-place Wisconsin Woodchucks to the “Duck Pond.” Joe Yermal (Charlotte) takes the mound for the Mallards tonight. It is “Leave it to Beaver Night” at the “Duck Pond!” Come out early for a chance to meet “the Beav,” Jerry Mathers! The Mallards will be hosting the 2008 NWL All-Star Game on Monday, July 14! Great tickets still remain and can be purchased by clicking tickets or by calling 608.246.4277.
Wisconsin Woodchucks (5-1) at Madison Mallards (2-4)
July 11, 2008 – 7:05 p.m. (CT)
Warner Park – Madison, WI
Pitching Probables:
RHP Joe Yermal (MAD) – 5 GS, 21.0 IP, 0-0, 7.71 ERA
RHP Adam Jung (WIS) – 0 GS, 2.1 IP, 0-0, 0.00 ERA
Mallards records (first half):
– 2-0 vs. Wisconsin
– 10-8 at home
– 12-3 on road
– 14-6 vs. South Division
– 8-5 vs. North Division
Mallards records (second half):
– 0-2 vs. Wisconsin
– 0-0 at home
– 2-4 on road
– 0-2 vs. South Division
– 2-2 vs. North Division
Madison is…
– 18-5 when scoring first
– 3-4 in extra innings
– 7-4 in one-run games
– 16-1 when leading after 7 innings
– 15-2 when outhitting its opponent
– 17-1 when scoring 7+ runs
– 16-4 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
Last time out for the Mallards: W 15-12 at Alexandria, July 10
In a matchup of All-Star pitchers it was the offense for both teams that stole the show, as the Mallards used an eight-run fifth inning to propel themselves to a 15-12 victory over the Alexandria Beetles. Gabriel Shaw (Louisville) and Matt Hill did not have their all-star stuff tonight, as Shaw was relieved after three innings of work and Hill was sent to the showers after giving up four runs in that eight-run Madison fifth. The win gives the Mallards the series sweep of the Beetles, and means that the Mallards will head back to Madison with a 5-5 record on the 10-game, 11-day road trip and a 2-4 second-half mark. The 15 runs on Thursday night is a season high for the Mallards.
Road Warriors:
With a 15-12 slugfest victory on Thursday night the Mallards wrapped up a 10-game, 11-day road trip with a 5-5 record.
Let’s Play Two:
The Mallards are 4-0 in doubleheaders this season. They will try to tack on two more wins in an upcoming double-dip at La Crosse on July 21.
Mallards Musings:
-The Mallards will be represented in the 2008 Northwoods League All-Star Game by right-handed pitcher Gabriel Shaw (Louisville) and left-handed pitcher Matt Jansen (Purdue), as well as outfielder Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) and catcher Eric Nielsen (Purdue). Nielsen is appearing in his second straight All-Star Game.
-Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) earned Northwoods League Player of the Night on Thursday, July 10 when he reached base six times with three singles and three walks. He scored five runs for the Mallards.
– Lyerly is sixth in the Northwoods League with a .336 batting average in 29 games played.
-Luke Stewart (UAB) is tied for sixth in the Northwoods League with four home runs.
-After a 4-for-5 performance on June 26 against Brainerd, outfielder Aaron Bray (Charlotte) was named Northwoods League Player of the Night. He had four singles and scored three runs. Bray was the first Mallard to win the nightly award this season. Lyerly made it two Mallards award-winners in one week when he earned the honor on June 30 after a 4-for-5 game at Mankato. He had a home run, a double, three RBIs and scored three runs in the contest.
-With a win on June 25 at Thunder Bay, Brandon Johnson (Western Carolina) moved into a tie for sixth in the league in wins with four.
-Wikoff had a 10-game hitting streak snapped on June 28. It was the Mallards second-longest hitting streak of the season.
-Lyerly’s 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 Wikoff reached base in 16 consecutive games.
On Sunday, July 13, the Mallards will host an All-Star Fan Fest at 2:00 p.m. before giving way to the Home Run Derby at 4:30 p.m. The All-American Challenge will follow at 6:05 p.m., pitting local Home Talent League All-Stars versus a Military All-Star Team. The Mallards will then host the 2008 All-Star Game on Monday, July 14 at 7:05 p.m. broadcast live on ESPNU at the “Duck Pond.” Tickets remain for both dates and can be purchased online at Mallardsbaseball.com or by calling the box office at 608.246.4277.
