Quad Cities advances to Western Division final and will host Beloit for Game 1 on Saturday

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (SEPT. 5, 2013) - For a second straight night, the Quad Cities River Bandits held the potent Cedar Rapids Kernels offense in check on Thursday night, and third baseman Rio Ruiz hit a go-ahead home run in a three-run fourth inning leading to a 4-2 win and two-game sweep of the Midwest League Western Division semifinal at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Quad Cities won its ninth straight postseason game, dating back to the 2011 Midwest League Championship run, and ended the season for the Kernels, who had a league-high 88 regular-season wins. The River Bandits will host the Beloit Snappers for Game 1 of the Midwest League Western Division Final on Saturday. Beloit swept its division semifinal against the Clinton LumberKings Thursday. Saturday's game time will be announced on Friday, and second-round tickets will be available beginning at noon Friday.

The Kernels took the first lead for a second straight game, as center fielder Jonathan Murphy led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run to left field off left-hander Joe Bircher (1-0). But Bircher bounced back to retire six straight hitters and work around single baserunners in the third and fourth innings. In the fifth he allowed a two-out double by third baseman Joel Licon and Murphy to reach on an error by shortstop Carlos Correa, but Bircher fanned shortstop Niko Goodrum to strike out the side. He completed five innings and gave up one earned run on three hits while striking out four batters.

The River Bandits tied the game against right-hander Tim Shibuya (0-1) in the second inning, as third baseman Rio Ruiz worked a two-out walk, and catcher Roberto Pena drove him in with a double down the left-field line. In a 1-1 tie, the visitors loaded the bases in the third inning, but Shibuya got a strikeout and groundout to escape the jam.

Ruiz broke the tie by launching the first pitch of the fourth inning to the base of the scoreboard in right-center field for the first River Bandits playoff home run since Game 3 of the 2011 Championship. Pena then reached on an infield single, and right fielder Jordan Scott placed a bunt single to first base. A sacrifice moved both runners into scoring position, and with two outs, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez grounded a two-run single through the left side of the infield for a 4-1 lead.

The Kernels managed to rally in the sixth inning against left-hander J.D. Osborne, as second baseman Jorge Polanco hit a leadoff double and right fielder Adam Brett Walker drew a walk. Polanco scored on a groundout, but right-hander Patrick Christensen came in to strike out designated hitter Travis Harrison. Christensen worked perfect seventh and eighth innings to retire all seven batters in 2 1/3 innings. For a second straight night, right-hander Andrew Walter pitched a perfect ninth inning, completing a game-ending string of 11 consecutive batters retired by the bullpen, which allowed only one run on two hits in the series. After leading the league in runs scored in the regular season, the Kernels had three combined runs on eight total hits in two postseason games.

Thursday's River Bandits victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount Friday, Sept. 6. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Friday, Sept. 6.

UP NEXT:Saturday's playoff game will again feature all regular individual seats for $5 each, and 12-ounce beer and soda, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos will each be $1. Tickets will go on sale Friday at noon at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see 2012 No. 1 overall pick Carlos Correa and the River Bandits in the playoffs. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

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MOLINE, Ill. (September 4, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards have signed defenseman Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel, the Mallards announced today.

Dieude-Fauvel (DEE-oo-day FAW-vuhl), who turned 27 last week, reunites with Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski, for whom Dieude-Fauvel first played in 2009-10 and 2010-11 with the Laredo Bucks.

"I had Benny in Laredo and he's a very steady defenseman with an offensive upside," said Ruskowski.  "He was also voted one of the top three hardest hitting players in the Central Hockey League when he played for me before."

From the Bucks, Dieude-Fauvel moved on to spend the last two seasons with the ECHL's Elmira Jackals.  After winning the ECHL's Atlantic Division title in his first campaign in Elmira, the Bordeaux, France, native last year scored four goals and totaled 14 points in 49 games.  Over his four seasons in North America, Dieude-Fauvel has produced 22 goals and 75 points in 231 games.

The 6' 2", 220-pound Dieude-Fauvel spent five-plus seasons playing in his homeland- for Amiens, Chamonix and Morzine-Avoriaz- before making the trip across the pond.

The Mallards will open their seventeenth season- and their fourth in the CHL- when they host the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night, October 19.  Mallards 2013-14 season tickets as well as half season tickets and flex packs are now on sale.  The Mallards offer ticket packages to meet any budget and season ticket holders also receive a host of additional benefits, including a unique season ticket holder Mallards jersey.  More ticket package information is available by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or emailing info@myqcmallards.com.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are approaching their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards. 

MOLINE, Ill. (September 3, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards have signed goaltender Philippe Trudeau and forward John Heffernan, the Mallards announced today.

Trudeau, who turns 20 later this month, split last year between the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Val d'Or Foreurs and posted a 3.53 goals against average and .895 save percentage along with a record of 11-19-2 in 44 regular season games.  The 6' 6", 213-pound Blainville, Quebec, product went on to backstop the Foreurs to an opening round playoff upset of the Prince Edward Island Rocket.

Trudeau spent three seasons in the QMJHL, playing briefly for the Moncton Wildcats before his stints in Cape Breton and Val d'Or.  In exactly 100 career junior games he turned in a 3.81 goals against average and a .884 save percentage alongside a 28-47-3 record. 

"Philippe is a quality young goaltender who has great size and a lot of potential," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski.   "We're excited about him joining the Mallards and doing his part to make sure we can count on strong goaltending night-in and night-out."

Heffernan, 24, scored four goals and totaled 11 points as a senior at Merrimack College last season.  Over four years as a Warrior, the 6' 2", 200-pound Heffernan produced nine goals and 22 points in 65 games.  The Scituate, Massachusetts, native's sophomore season saw Merrimack earn what was its second ever NCAA Division I tournament berth and its first in nearly a quarter of a century.

Before arriving at Merrimack, Heffernan won a pair of Massachusetts state titles- in 2006 and 2007-  while at Boston College High School and went on to lead the Bridgewater Bandits of the Eastern Junior Hockey League in point-scoring (20-33-53) in 2008-09.  Heffernan was a teammate of fellow Mallard signee and Scituate native Rob Dongara in both youth hockey and high school.

"John's a hard-working player who's had success at every level he's played at," said Ruskowski.  "He's been schooled at a very solid college program so we're looking forward to joining us in the Quad Cities."

The Mallards will open their seventeenth season- and their fourth in the CHL- when they host the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night, October 19.  Mallards 2013-14 season tickets as well as half season tickets and flex packs are now on sale.  The Mallards offer ticket packages to meet any budget and season ticket holders also receive a host of additional benefits, including a unique season ticket holder Mallards jersey.  More ticket package information is available by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or emailing info@myqcmallards.com.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are approaching their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards. 

Quad Cities finishes 81-57 overall and will open the playoffs with first-place Cedar Rapids Wednesday

DAVENPORT, Iowa (SEPT. 2, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor pitched a season-high six strong innings, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit his team-high 13th home run, and right fielder Jordan Scott had the go-ahead RBI as part of his two-triple game to lead a 3-2 win over the Beloit Snappers in Monday's regular season finale in front of 3,911 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Playoff-bound Quad Cities (43-26 second half, 81-57 overall) won 13 of its final 16 games and took the final five series in order to tie for the third-most single-season victories in the 54-season franchise history. Monday's win earned a season-series split with Beloit (34-35, 77-62), assuring the River Bandits a .500 or better regular-season record against every Midwest League Western Division opponent. Quad Cities will host Cedar Rapids for Game 1 of the Western Division semifinals at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski (4-3) is scheduled to face Kernels left-hander Brett Lee (8-4) in Game 1.

Minor (8-3) allowed Beloit to take a lead in the top of the second inning, as designated hitter John Wooten hit a one-out double down the left-field line and scored when second baseman Roberto Pena dropped a two-out popup in shallow center field. After a third-inning single by right fielder Aaron Shipman, Minor retired eight straight hitters, including striking out the side in the fifth.

Hernandez led off the third inning by hitting the first pitch from right-hander Deyvi Jimenez (2-6) over the left-center-field fence to tie the game. Hernandez scored his league-leading 97th run, which ties him for fourth-most in a single season by a Quad Cities player since the Midwest League franchise began in 1960. Hernandez's total is the most since Jon Schaeffer scored as many in 1999.

In the fourth inning, Pena drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and reached third base on a flyout. Scott then drove a fly ball over center fielder Brett Vertigan and reached third base, while Pena scored the go-ahead run. Hernandez later drew a two-out walk, and shortstop Carlos Correa grounded a single into center field for his team-high 144th hit and 86th RBI. Those single-season totals place Correa in ties for ninth and eighth, respectively, in franchise history. Correa's .320 batting average finished third in the Midwest League and is tied for sixth-best in franchise history. His .407 on-base percentage was also second-highest in the league, and he led the circuit with an .875 on-base-plus-slugging (OPS) percentage.

With a 3-1 lead, Minor allowed three sixth-inning hits, including an RBI single by Snappers first baseman Matt Olson. On the same play, Scott and Correa relayed to third baseman Rio Ruiz to retire a runner at third. Minor got a popout to keep the 3-2 lead. He allowed six hits and two runs - one earned - while striking out five batters. Right-hander Jamaine Cotton started the seventh and worked around a leadoff single in the eighth for two scoreless innings. Right-hander Zach Morton pitched a perfect ninth inning for his first career save.

Monday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount Tuesday, Sept. 3. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

UP NEXT:The River Bandits will give away a used car and a used pick-up truck at the playoff game Wednesday night. 12-ounce beer and soda, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos will be $1 each, and all regular individual tickets are just $5 each. Tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!