Monday night's contests were filled with narrow-margin victories, while Mankato took game one of their interleague battle between Lakeshore, walking off in the 12th inning. Kenosha and St. Cloud continued their stellar second half campaigns, winning again tonight, while the Rox scored five runs in the 9th inning to win by one in Thunder Bay.
Rochester 7, Duluth 6
Rochester plated two runs in the 7th inning, taking the series opener against Duluth in a tightly contested ballgame. Home Run Derby Champion Joe DeRoche-Duffin (UConn) powered his team to victory, hitting his tenth home run of the year, finishing with three RBIs. Reliever Spencer Greer (Dixie State) collected his fourth victory of the season, throwing a solid four innings of relief, giving up a run on six hits, striking out one. The Huskies fell a game behind Willmar for second place in the North, however Cal Stevenson (Nevada) was absolutely fantastic atop the lineup, going 2-for-3 with five RBIs, registering his first home run of the year.
St. Cloud 10, Thunder Bay 9
In a battle between two of the hottest teams in the North Division, St. Cloud provided an unbelieavable comeback, scoring five runs in the 9th inning and pushing their win streak to four games. Joe Tietjen (UNC-Asheville) and Liam Bedford (Doane College) combined for six RBIs and four hits, as they were the catalysts behind the come-from-behind victory. For the third consecutive night, a St. Cloud pitcher earned Pitcher of the Night as Sheldon Miks (St. Cloud State) tossed six innings, giving up a run (none earned) and struck out seven, earning a no decision, but star closer Trevor Charpie (Nevada) collected his ninth save, shutting the door in the 9th, giving up just a hit and striking out a batter. The Border Cats snapped their four game winning streak, but Max Dutto (California) homered in consecutive nights, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and scored twice.
Willmar 22, Alexandria 6
Scoring the highest amount of runs in a game this year, Willmar demolished Alexandria, moving into 3 ½ games behind St. Cloud for the second half. The Stingers totaled nineteen hits on the night, with six batters experiencing multi-hit games, paced by Player of the Night Ky Parrott (James Madison) hitting two dingers, knocking in five RBIs and scoring four times. Starter Tyler Hanson (Minnesota) did not have his sharpest night, allowing six runs over six innings, but earned his fifth win of the season, backed by the plethora of run support. Alexandria fell into fourth place, remaining five games behind the Rox, but was led tonight by Ricky Sanchez (Notre Dame) and Dane Hutcheon (Montevallo) each hit home runs and totaled four RBIs in the loss.
Wisconsin Rapids 6, Green Bay 3
After being tied through eight innings of play, the Rafters plated three runs in the top of the 9th, stealing a road victory in Green Bay. Wisconsin Rapids was paced by catcher Bryce Jordan (LSU) and All-Star Brock Carpenter (Seattle) who each recorded a pair of hits. Joey Graziano (St. John’s) picked up his second win as result of his offense taking command of the game in the final inning. Green Bay continued their struggles, losing their third consecutive contest, but outfielder Robb Paller (Columbia) went 2-for-4 with his third home run and drove in a pair of RBIs.
Battle Creek 7, La Crosse 5
Battle Creek jumped out to an early lead, and held off a late La Crosse rally, handing the Loggers an upsetting series opening loss at home, moving to 7-17. Gary Russo (Miami Ohio) has now recorded a hit in all four games with the Bombers, going 1-for-5 with three RBIs, slugging his first bomb of the season. Edgar Sanchez (Prairie View A&M) picked up his team-high fourth victory, tossing six innings, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out a half-dozen batters. Loggers Mason McCoy (Illinois Central) continued to add to his MVP-caliber 2015 season, going 2-for-5, hitting his eighth home run and knocking in two RBIs, leading the league by a far margin with an astounding 94 hits.
Madison 3, Kalamazoo 2
Madison plated an eventual crucial run in the top of the 9th inning, and held off a late bottom half push by the Growlers, taking game one of their road series, moving in 3 ½ games behind Kenosha. Starter Nate Hoffman (Middle Tennessee State) collected his first victory in over a month, improving to 4-3, throwing 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out four. The Mallards were led on offense by outfielder Cameron Frost (Washington State) who hit a solo home run, giving him five on the year, while All-Star Jean Ramirez (Illinois State) went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Kalamazoo’s catcher Alex Gosser (Arkansas) made things interesting in the 9th, hitting a two-run home run, as the Growlers became the first team in the second half to hit twenty losses.
Kenosha 10, Wisconsin 5
Continuing their pace as the league’s best team in 2015, Kenosha scored five runs in the 7th inning, winning their fifth straight game. All-Star Game MVP Eric Filia (UCLA) knocked in a stellar five RBIs, while Alex Borglin (Central Michigan) went 2-for-3 with three triples and three RBIs. David Meade (Illinois State) needed just five innings of work in his first start, giving up a run, striking out four and picking up his first win. Wisconsin’s catcher Albee Weiss (Cal State Northridge) hit his twelfth home run of the season, tying a league-high, while the Chucks lost their third straight ballgame, falling to 10-12.
Eau Claire 9, Waterloo 3
The Express used a four-run 4th inning, cruising to their eleventh win of the second half, and taking game one of their series in Waterloo. Leading the offensive output was Sam Hurt (Madison Area Technical) and Scotland Church (Oregon State) who each combined for five RBIs on four hits. Starter C.J. Eldred (Iowa) eased his way to victory, tossing seven innings, giving up three runs and eight hits, striking out five and moving to 1-3. Tim Millard (Dallas Baptist) went a perfect 3-for-3, hitting his first bomb in just his second game with the team, as the Bucks faltered into sixth place, remaining a game behind .500 at 11-12.
Mankato 3, Lakeshore 2 (12 Innings)
As the series opener between Mankato and Lakeshore crept into extra baseball, outfielder Brinn Bell (St. Ambrose) sent his hometown fans home happy, singling home the winning run in the 12th inning, extending their win streak to four. Bell’s game-winner was his only hit of the night, coming off the bench for a pinch-hitting role, scoring Kyle Weston (James Madison) who got on base five times tonight with four hits and a walk. Reliever Cody O’Brien (Scottsdale C.C.) threw a clean top half of the inning, and was rewarded with his first victory. Lakeshore’s Zarley Zalewski (Kent State) added three hits on the night, knocking in his 25th RBI, as the Chinooks have now won just four of their last ten games.
Tuesday’s Schedule
St. Cloud @ Thunder Bay 1:35 PM
Rochester @ Duluth 6:35 PM
Alexandria @ Willmar 7:05 PM
Madison @ Kalamazoo 7:05 PM
Eau Claire @ Waterloo 7:05 PM
Battle Creek @ La Crosse 7:05 PM
Wisconsin Rapids @ Green Bay 7:05 PM
Lakeshore @ Mankato 7:05 PM
Wisconsin @ Kenosha 7:05 PM
