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Summer of Glove: All in the mind
Each week this summer, The Capital Times will go behind the scenes with the Madison Mallards for a feature we call Summer of Glove. We'll have some Q&As with Mallards players, some video features and other items to help provide insight into what those who inhabit the Duck Pond go through during the season.
This week, Mallards pitcher Kyle Heim talks about the mental side of being in the bullpen, knowing he could be called upon on short notice. Plus, a month into the season, we hear about how the Northwoods League reality has matched Heim's expectations.
LOOKING BACK
The Mallards chipped away at Wisconsin's lead in the Northwoods League South Division, and they finally caught up on a day when they lost.
Madison's 14-4 home loss Sunday to Green Bay, combined with Wisconsin being swept by St. Cloud in a doubleheader and La Crosse beating Brainerd, created a three-way tie for first place with four days left in the first half.
The first half ends after Thursday's games, and the Mallards have two-game series at Mankato and at Battle Creek. Wisconsin plays series at Brainerd and at Waterloo. La Crosse has a home-and-home series with Eau Claire before a series at Brainerd.
Sunday's loss ended the Mallards' seven-game winning streak. During the streak, they hit .273 (63-for-231), up from their season average of .239.
UPCOMING GAMES
Monday: Mallards at Mankato, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday: Mallards at Mankato, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday: Mallards at Battle Creek, 6:05 p.m.
Thursday: Mallards at Battle Creek, 7:05 p.m.
Friday: Mallards at Wisconsin, 6:35 p.m.
Saturday: Mallards at Wisconsin, 6:35 p.m.
Sunday: Off
IN THE NOTEBOOK
• The Mallards will have College World Series champions joining the team shortly. Alan Ahmady and Trent Soares helped Fresno State win its first NCAA baseball title last Wednesday, beating Georgia 6-1 in the deciding Game 3. Ahmady hit .386 this season and had 92 RBIs, the second-highest total in Division I.
• Madison added utility player Joe Bonadonna, the Northwoods League's career stolen bases leader (80), on Sunday. He's in his fourth season in the league but was waived by Duluth, with whom he had played every season, on June 8.
• Outfielder Aaron Bray was the league's player of the night last Thursday after he went 4-for-5 with three runs in a 10-2 victory over Brainerd.
Mallards pitcher Kyle Heim talks about the mental side of being in the bullpen.
