Madison, WI – July 25, 2008. The Mallards wrap up a six-game, five-day road trip tonight with a 7:05 p.m. contest against the Green Bay Bullfrogs. The Bullfrogs defeated the Mallards last night, 5-1, to extend the Mallards season-high losing streak to five games. Scott Heitshusen (Kansas) will make his eighth start for the Mallards tonight. After tonight’s game the Mallards return home to Madison for a two-game set against the Waterloo Bucks Saturday and Sunday. Saturday is American Idol Karaoke Night at the “Duck Pond.” Come out and meet William Hung, from American Idol “fame!”
Madison Mallards (29-22, 7-11) at Green Bay Bullfrogs (26-24, 9-8)
July 25, 2008 – 7:05 p.m. (CT)
Joannes Stadium – Green Bay, WI
Pitching Probables:
RHP Scott Heitshusen (MAD) – 7 GS, 40.0 IP, 3-2, 4.95 ERA
LHP Jason Dovel (GB) – 5 GS, 23.2 IP, 2-0, 4.94 ERA
Mallards records (first half):
– 3-1 vs. Green Bay
– 10-8 at home
– 12-3 on road
– 14-6 vs. South Division
– 8-5 vs. North Division
Mallards records (second half):
– 0-1 vs. Green Bay
– 5-1 at home
– 2-10 on road
– 4-8 vs. South Division
– 3-3 vs. North Division
Madison is…
– 22-9 when scoring first
– 3-4 in extra innings
– 7-6 in one-run games
– 21-2 when leading after 7 innings
– 20-4 when outhitting its opponent
– 21-1 when scoring 7+ runs
– 20-6 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
Last time out for the Mallards: L 5-1 at Green Bay, July 24
The Mallards lost their fifth straight game with a 5-1 defeat against the Green Bay Bullfrogs Thursday night. Despite jumping out to an early 1-0 lead and having numerous baserunners in the first few innings, the Mallards offense could not get anything going in the last two-thirds of the game and 19 of their last 20 hitters were retired in order. Nolan Cain (LSU) worked a career-high four innings, allowing just three hits, and left the game with the lead. The South Division first-half champion Mallards fell to 7-11 in the second half.
Mallards Musings:
-All of Madison’s 17 remaining games are against South Division foes.
-Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) has reached base in each of the 22 games he’s played at the “Duck Pond” this season. It is the longest home consecutive on-base streak in the league this season.
-The Mallards are tied for second in the league in runs scored as a team (271). Wisconsin leads the league with 274 runs scored.
-Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) is fifth in the Northwoods League with a .333 batting average in 41 games played.
-Wikoff is fourth in the league in runs scored with 35.
-Luke Stewart’s (UAB) six home runs put him in a tie for fourth in the league.
-Joe Bonadonna (Illinois) became the fifth Mallard to win Northwoods League Player of the Night when he reached base five times against Battle Creek on July 19. He was 3-for-3 with two singles and a double, and also drew two walks and scored three times.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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’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 fourth-longest hitting streak in the Northwoods League this season.
-Wikoff had a 10-game hitting streak snapped on June 28. It was the Mallards second-longest hitting streak of the season.
-From the beginning of the season on May 29 until June 15 Wikoff reached base in 16 consecutive games.
Playoff tickets can be purchased in a package of all four potential home playoff games. 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 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.
