Madison, WI – July 26, 2008. The Mallards start a two-game series with the Waterloo Bucks tonight at 6:05 at the “Duck Pond.” The road has been unkind to the Mallards so far in the second half, and the team just completed an 0-6 road trip. Gabriel Shaw (Louisville) starts in the familiar surroundings of the “Duck Pond” tonight, making his eighth start of the season. He will be opposed by Waterloo left-hander Jeremy Hauer. It is American Idol Karaoke Night at the ballpark. Come out and meet one of the “stars” of American Idol, William Hung! Stick around after the game for post-game karaoke and a fireworks show presented by Lifestyle Staffing!
Waterloo Bucks (20-28, 6-10) at Madison Mallards (29-23, 7-12)
July 26, 2008 – 6:05 p.m. (CT)
Warner Park – Madison, WI
Pitching Probables:
RHP Gabriel Shaw (MAD) – 7 GS, 34.0 IP, 2-0, 2.65 ERA
LHP Jeremy Hauer (WTL) – 9 GS, 54.0 IP, 3-3, 4.17 ERA
Mallards records (first half):
– 3-1 vs. Waterloo
– 10-8 at home
– 12-3 on road
– 14-6 vs. South Division
– 8-5 vs. North Division
Mallards records (second half):
– 0-0 vs. Waterloo
– 5-1 at home
– 2-11 on road
– 4-9 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
– 21-2 when scoring 7+ runs
– 20-7 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
Last time out for the Mallards: L 11-8 at Green Bay, July 25
A nine-run first inning by the Green Bay Bullfrogs proved to be too much for the Mallards to overcome, as they lost 11-8 at Joannes Stadium in Green Bay Friday night. The Mallards outscored the Bullfrogs 8-2 after the first, but could not make the improbable comeback. The loss wraps up a forgettable six-game, five-day road trip for the squad, as they lost a couple of late-inning leads to lose games and will head back to Madison winless on the trip. The loss drops the Mallards to 7-12 in the second half.
Mallards Musings:
-All of Madison’s 16 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 first in the league in runs scored as a team (279). Wisconsin has also scored 279 runs.
-Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) is seventh in the Northwoods League with a .329 batting average in 42 games played.
-Wikoff is fourth in the league in runs scored with 36.
-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.
