Mallards shortstop Brashad Johnson (Des Moines Area CC) eludes an Eau Claire Express base runner in turning a double playing during last Saturday’s game.
Madison, WI – July 23, 2009. The Mallards enjoyed a successful All-Star break and a South victory in the All-Star game. Madison’s four representatives will return home for a two-game set versus the Wisconsin Woodchucks beginning tonight at 7:05 p.m. at the “Duck Pond”.
On Monday night at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, home of the Northwoods League’s Thunder Bay Border Cats, Harold Riggins (NC State) took home the Home Run Derby crown by defeating Corey Jones (Cal State Fullerton) in the final. The Madison slugger hit four home runs in all and three into a stiff head wind in the final round.
On Tuesday, Kurtis Muller (Iowa) was honored with the “Star of Stars” NWL MVP award after going 3-for-5 with two stolen bases and a run scored in lifting the South Division to a 4-2 victory over the North. Muller wasn’t the lone Mallard to show off his skills in the Mid-Summer Classic. Riggins went 1-for-4 with an RBI double, Jerrud Sabourin (Indiana) doubled and scored a run, and Cody Winiarski (MATC) threw a scoreless fourth inning.
Madison (28-21 overall, 10-6 second half) swept a series from Eau Claire just before the break and it moved them into a first place tie with La Crosse. Only 18 games remain with two separating four teams in the South Division, putting added weight on each game for teams vying for a second half crown and a playoff spot.
The Mallards will send Winiarski to the mound tonight to take on the Woodchucks. The right-hander is 5-2 this season with a 1.61 ERA over 56 innings and eight starts this year. Wisconsin has yet to announce its starter.
Tonight, the first 1,000 fans will receive a Mountain Dew Zip Line Maynard Bobblehead presented by WKOW-TV. Gates open 90 minutes prior to first pitch at 7:05 p.m. Also, don’t forget that you can ride a free shuttle from and back to The Brass Ring (701 E. Washington Ave.) each Thursday. Get there early; a select number of free Duck Blind tickets will be given to early arrivers!
Great seats are still available for Thursday and Friday’s games and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the box office at 608.246.4277 today!
