LaCrosse, WI – July 21st, 2008. The Madison Mallards lost late to the LaCrosse Loggers on Monday night, courtesy of a sixth inning Cory Vaughn (San Diego St.) three-run home run. This comeback victory completed the sweep of the double header tonight, making up a game from earlier this season. The Mallards will travel tomorrow to Eau Claire to take on the Express. The game will begin at 6:35 pm and can be seen on the Express’ web page. You can also listen to Mallards radio announcer Ben Larson’s call on 100.5 FM Madison Sports Radio. The Mallards will next be home Saturday to face the Waterloo Bucks. William Hung will be at Warner Park for Karaoke Night and seats are still available! You can buy tickets online at mallardsbaseball.com.

The Mallards were almost flawless through the first five innings, with three pitchers combining to throw a no-hitter through that point. Gabriel Shaw (Louisville) started the game and threw three innings, striking out three and not allowing a base runner. Alex Rivers (Santa Clara) pitched the fourth inning for the Ducks and while walking one, did not allow a hit.

Kyle Rutter (NC State) struck out two in the fifth, but when he stayed for the sixth, things started to unravel. After giving up the first hit of the game to Randy Rundgren (Sacramento CC) to lead off the inning, Rutter put another man on via a walk and Cory Vaughn stepped to the plate. Vaughn hit a three-run home run to take the lead from the Mallards for good.

Three pitchers started for the Mallards this evening, those being Scott Heitshusen (Kansas), Brandon Johnson (Western Carolina), and Reed Woytek (Baylor). The three of them were able to manufacture the Mallards first run in the fifth inning. After a Heitshusen walk and a Johnson fielder’s choice, Johnson proceeded to steal second base and put himself in scoring position. Woytek then reached on a throwing error and Johnson scored, giving the Mallards their first lead of the day.

They scored once more in the sixth with a Josh Groves (UW-Milwaukee) single and steal, then a Scott Heitshusen single to drive him in. Heitshusen reached base all three times he was at-bat today, out-performing some of the Mallard regulars on a day many of them would probably like to forget.