Tonight's games saw both division leaders keeping their hot streaks, as the Huskies and Kingfish needed some late-game heroics to keep their win streaks in tact. Hidden behind the two divisional leaders appears the La Crosse Loggers, who have now won their last five contests, and have now moved into second place in the South Division. Kalamazoo and Green Bay were shut down due to rain after six innings of play, while Green Bay and Battle Creek were postponed, resulting in a double header on June 25th.
Lakeshore 4, Wisconsin 3
The Chinooks held off a late Wisconsin rally, as they collected their third straight victory, defeating the Woodchucks by a narrow margin. Lakeshore starter Kody Hessemer (Baylor) was stellar tonight as he went eight innings, giving up three runs on four hits, and struck out a season-high nine batters, improving to 1-1 on the season. Kyle Fiala (Notre Dame) had a perfect night at the plate in his Chinooks debut, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Woodchucks’ leadoff man Jared Oliva (Arizona) launched a two-run home run in the 8th inning, cutting the deficit to one run, but the Chucks failed to score again, dropping their record to 4-8.
Kenosha 5, Madison 4 (13 Innings)
The Kenosha fans that stayed all 13 innings witnessed a fantastic finish tonight as their team walked off against the Mallards. The Kingfish have now won their fifth straight game, taking a two-game lead amongst the rest in the South Division. Madison made four errors on the night, and their last one proved to be the deciding factor, as a botched throw by the catcher brought home the game-winning run for Kenosha. Alex Borglin (Central Michigan) continues to impress at the dish, picking up three more hits, and elevating his league-leading batting average to .462. Reliever Callahan Brown recorded his second victory as he pitched a scoreless 13th inning, and sat down all three batters he faced. After winning their first five games of the season, Madison continues to drop in the South, as they now sit in third place.
Eau Claire 9, Waterloo 7
Eau Claire scored the last six runs in the ballgame as they took game two of the series between the Bucks. A pair of Express batters led the offensive charge as Tanner DeVinny (Grayson County) and Tyler Adkison (San Diego State) each powered home runs. Reliever Alex McIntosh (UW-Milwaukee) recorded his first win as he shut down the Bucks lineup through 2 1/3 innings and struck out three. Waterloo 3rd Baseman Zach McKinstry (Central Michigan) pushed his hit-streak to seven games as he slugged his second home run of the year, as Waterloo fell to 9-5, and are now in a three-way tie for second place in the North Division.
St. Cloud 5, Mankato 4
The Rox scored a run in the top of the 9th inning, splitting the series between Mankato. Designated Hitter Toby Hanson (Minnesota) delivered the clutch hit of the night, doubling home the game-winning run; he finished 2-for-4 on the night with two RBIs. Reliever Trevor Charpie (Saddleback C.C.) collected his first win, as he pitched the last two innings flawlessly, giving up just a hit and a walk, while striking out three. Moondogs 3rd Baseman Craig Nennig (Ohio State) carried the entire offense, going 2-for-3 with a three-run home run, finishing with all four RBIs.
Kalamazoo 5, Wisconsin Rapids 1 (6 Innings)
Extreme weather led the Growlers and Rafters to a rain-shortened ballgame as Kalamazoo ended with a series split on the road. Growlers Catcher Max Schuman (Utah) hit a three-run home run in the 6th inning, putting the game out of reach. Starter Shane Bryant (Purdue) threw all five innings, giving up a run, two hits, and struck out two, as he picked up his first win of the season. Rafters 1st Baseman Ryan Cleveland (Georgia Southern) provided the only offense as he hit a sacrifice fly in the 4th inning, as Wisconsin Rapids fell to 6-7 in the South Division.
Thunder Bay 6, Rochester 3
The Border Cats scored four runs in the 4th inning as they have won their fourth straight game, and swept the series against the Honkers. Thunder Bay Right Fielder Joe Gellenbeck (Xavier) hit his first home run of the year, as he went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Starter Jeremy Charles (Hartford) threw five innings, giving up two runs, four hits and struck out four, as he is now tied for the league-lead with three wins. Honkers 1st Baseman Scott Schreiber went 1-for-4 with two RBIs in a losing effort, as Rochester is now tied for second place in the North Division with two other teams
La Crosse 13, Alexandria 4
Currently the hottest team in the South Division, the Loggers scored eleven unanswered runs as they blew out the host Blue Anchors, moving to 8-6, and have now won five straight games. La Crosse 2nd Baseman Will Savage (Columbia) was fantastic in his first start, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs, while leadoff hitter Mason McCoy (Illinois Central) continues to tear it up as he picked up three more hits, leading the league with 27. Reliever Matthew Naylor (North Florida) was lights out in 5 1/3 innings of relief, surrendering no runs, five hits and struck out five, recording his first victory. Alexandria has now lost their last six games, however 2nd Baseman Steve Sada (Miami Ohio) continues to be the spark of the Blue Anchors’ lineup, registering four hits, improving his batting average to .356.
Duluth 8, Willmar 7
Duluth scored two runs in the top of the 9th, and held off the Willmar rally, as they moved into first place in the North Division. Huskies Center Fielder Cal Stevenson (Nevada) was great in the leadoff spot, going 2-for-5 with a walk and two RBIs. Reliever Austin Carpenter continues to dominate out of the bullpen as he went 1 1/3 innings, and closed the door in the bottom of the 9th as he picked up his first victory. Willmar outfielder Storm Wilson (Kentucky) had a solid night at the plate going 2-for-5 with a solo home run as they fell back to 6-6 on the season.
Battle Creek at Green Bay (Postponed due to rain)
The game between the Bombers and Bullfrogs was cancelled due to heavy rainfall resulting in the field conditions becoming unplayable. A rescheduling has been made for a doubleheader on June 25th at 5:35 PM when the teams will face off in Green Bay.
Tuesday’s Schedule
Battle Creek @ Wisconsin 6:35 PM
Green Bay @ Madison 6:35 PM
Lakeshore @ Eau Claire 6:35 PM
St. Cloud @ Duluth 6:35 PM
Rochester @ Willmar 7:05 PM
Alexandria @ Mankato 7:05 PM
La Crosse @ Wisconsin Rapids 7:05 PM
Thunder Bay @ Waterloo 7:05 PM
Kenosha @ Kalamazoo 7:05 PM
