Madison, WI – July 19, 2008. After banging out 26 hits and scoring 17 runs in the last two games, the Mallards offense will try to put more runs on the board tonight in the series finale against Battle Creek. Right-hander Scott Heitshusen (Kansas) makes his seventh start of the season tonight for the Mallards. It is Summertime St. Patty’s Day at the ballpark tonight. Come out early and celebrate the holiday in July!
Battle Creek Bombers (6-5) at Madison Mallards (5-6)
July 19, 2008 – 6:05 p.m. (CT)
Warner Park – Madison, WI
Pitching Probables:
RHP Scott Heitshusen (MAD) – 6 GS, 34.0 IP, 2-2, 4.50 ERA
RHP Doug Murray (BC) – 4 GS, 23.1 IP, 1-2, 4.24 ERA
Mallards records (first half):
– 4-0 vs. Battle Creek
– 10-8 at home
– 12-3 on road
– 14-6 vs. South Division
– 8-5 vs. North Division
Mallards records (second half):
– 1-0 vs. Battle Creek
– 3-1 at home
– 2-5 on road
– 2-3 vs. South Division
– 3-3 vs. North Division
Madison is…
– 21-6 when scoring first
– 3-4 in extra innings
– 7-5 in one-run games
– 19-1 when leading after 7 innings
– 18-2 when outhitting its opponent
– 19-1 when scoring 7+ runs
– 19-5 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
Last time out for the Mallards: W 6-3 vs. Battle Creek, July 18
A three-run seventh inning, highlighted by Luke Stewart’s (UAB) fifth home run of the season, propelled the Mallards to a 6-3 win over the Battle Creek Bombers in front of 6,751 fans at the “Duck Pond” Friday night. The three-spot broke a tie game and gave the Mallards their second straight win and moved their record to 5-6 in the second half. Brant Combs (Missouri State) worked two innings of relief to earn the win, while Battle Creek’s Nick Hoover took the loss. Madison is now 5-0 against Battle Creek this season.
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:
-Lyerly is second in the Northwoods League with a .343 batting average in 34 games played.
-Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) is fourth in the league in runs scored with 32.
-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 is 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.
-Drew Martin (NC State) was NWL Player of the Night on July 3 when he was 5-for-7 in two games at Battle Creek on the last day of the first half.
-Wikoff earned Northwoods League Player of the Night July 10 when he reached base six times with three singles and three walks. He scored five runs for the Mallards.
-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 third-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.
Season-ticket holders have the first opportunity to purchase playoff tickets that are on-sale right now. Tickets will only be available in a package of all four potential home playoff games. On July 22 all fans who wish to purchase that same package of four games will be able to do so at that time. Single-game playoff tickets will go on sale to the public on July 29. Playoff tickets can be purchased by calling 608.246.4277 or by visiting the Mallards box office.
Box seats for the playoffs will be $ 9, with bleacher seats priced at $ 8. Cheap seats can be purchased for $ 7 and standing room only tickets will be available for $ 6. The Duck Blind will be open for the playoffs, with beer tickets priced at $ 26 for Sunday-Wednesday games and $ 31 for Thursday-Saturday nights. Duck Blind soda tickets will be $ 21 or $ 26. Reserved seats in the Duck Blind will be $ 31 for Sunday-Wednesday games and $36 for Thursday-Saturday nights. Suites are also available for playoff games and fans can receive more details by calling the Mallards box office and asking for group sales.
More details on playoff games at the “Duck Pond” will be made available on mallardsbaseball.com as soon as the second half of the regular season concludes. Tickets for the remainder of the Mallards regular season home schedule can be purchased online, in person at the Box Office or by calling 608.246.4277.
