Published On: July 21st, 2008

Madison, WI – July 21, 2008. The Mallards will play their third doubleheader of the season tonight at Copeland Park in La Crosse, as the Mallards and the Loggers will make up for a rainout on June 7. Madison defeated La Crosse last night in Madison 8-4 behind six solid innings of work by right-hander Joe Yermal (Charlotte). All-Stars Matt Jansen (Purdue) and Gabriel Shaw (Louisville) will have pitching duties for the Mallards tonight. The first game starts at 5:35 p.m., with the second to follow 30 minutes after the completion of the first. You can follow all the action from La Crosse from the comfort of your own home by visiting nwltickets.com.

Madison Mallards (7-6) at La Crosse Loggers (3-9) – doubleheader
July 21, 2008 – 5:35 p.m. (CT) , 30 minutes following completion of first game
Copeland Park – La Crosse, WI

Pitching Probables (Game 1):
LHP Matt Jansen (MAD) – 8 GS, 47.0 IP, 2-2, 2.11 ERA
LHP Scott Alexander or RHP Troy Watson (LAC)

Pitching Probables (Game 2):
RHP Gabriel Shaw (MAD) – 6 GS, 31.0 IP, 2-0, 2.90 ERA
LHP Scott Alexander or RHP Troy Watson (LAC)

Mallards records (first half):
– 1-2 vs. La Crosse
– 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. La Crosse
– 5-1 at home
– 2-5 on road
– 4-3 vs. South Division
– 3-3 vs. North Division

Madison is…
– 22-6 when scoring first
– 3-4 in extra innings
– 7-5 in one-run games
– 21-1 when leading after 7 innings
– 20-2 when outhitting its opponent
– 21-1 when scoring 7+ runs
– 20-5 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent

Last time out for the Mallards: W 8-4 vs. La Crosse, July 20
The Mallards made it four wins in a row Saturday night with an 8-4 victory over division-rival La Crosse in front of 6,453 fans at the “Duck Pond.” Getting the offense going has been no problem for the Mallards as of late, and the team reached double figures in hits for the fourth straight game. That same four game span has seen the Mallards score 36 runs. Joe Yermal (Charlotte) was solid in six innings tonight and earned his second victory in as many starts. Loggers starter Ryan Millard absorbed the loss.

Let’s Play Two:
The Mallards are 4-0 in doubleheaders this season. They will try to tack on two more wins in today’s doubleheader against La Crosse.

Mallards Musings:
-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.
-Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) is tied for second in the Northwoods League with a .340 batting average in 36 games played. Wikoff checks in at 10th in the league with a .321 average.
-Wikoff is fourth in the league in runs scored with 33.
-Luke Stewart’s (UAB) six home runs put him in a tied for third 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.
-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 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.

Latest News