The Rockford Rivets and Wisconsin Rapids Rafters both earned walk-off victories on Wednesday night in the Northwoods League. The game between Lakeshore and Battle Creek was suspended in the top of the 12th inning. The game will be made up on Thursday, followed by a nine-inning contest.
Duluth 7, Eau Claire 2
The Duluth Huskies scored the first seven runs of the game and beat the Eau Claire Express 7-2 on the road on Wednesday night. Duluth's starting pitcher Corey Gaconi (Southeastern Louisiana) threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed four hits and three walks with three strikeouts to earn the victory. Reliever Drew Mullinax (Montevallo) threw the final 3 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts for the save. Third baseman Carter Hanford (Jeff Co) hit his second home run of the season for the Huskies.
Rockford 7, Kalamazoo 6
The Rockford Rivets earned a walk-off victory by a score of 7-6 against the Kalamazoo Growlers on Wednesday night. Kalamazoo took a 6-4 lead with two runs in the seventh, but Rockford came right back with two in the eighth to tie the game. The Growlers had runners at second and third with nobody out in the top of the ninth but did not score. The Rivets put runners at first and second, and Ricardo Ramirez (UIC) singled to score Hunter Hargrove (Texas Tech) from second base for the game-winning hit.
Willmar 2, Madison 0
The Willmar Stingers scored two runs in the ninth inning to beat the Madison Mallards 2-0 on the road on Wednesday. Following eight scoreless innings, Willmar leftfielder Eddie Estrada (Minnesota) connected on a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning for the game-winner, as the Mallards went down in order in the bottom of the ninth. Stingers' starter Caleb Arbetier (Murray State) threw a complete-game shutout and allowed four hits and one walk with four strikeouts to earn the win.
Wisconsin Rapids 4, Wisconsin 3
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters sent the game into the extra innings and walked off in the 10th inning in a 4-3 victory over the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Wisconsin held a 3-2 advantage until the Rafters scored one in the ninth. In the bottom of the 10th inning, Wisconsin Rapids had the bases loaded with two outs, and shortstop Richie Palacios (Towson) singled to knock in the game-winning run. Rafters' starting pitcher Eric Ligda (Millersville) threw 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk with six strikeouts in a no decision.
La Crosse 5, Mankato 2
The La Crosse Loggers took down the Mankato MoonDogs 5-2 at home on Wednesday night. Mankato held a 2-1 advantage in the middle of the fourth inning before La Crosse scored twice in the bottom of the fourth and scored one in the seventh and eighth innings for the three-run victory. The Loggers recorded 10 hits in the game, and seven hitters finished with at least one hit. La Crosse's shortstop Mason McCoy (Iowa) and Griffin Conine (Duke) both homered in the Loggers' victory.
Green Bay 10, Kenosha 5
The Green Bay Bullfrogs doubled up the Kenosha Kingfish 10-5 on the road on Wednesday night. Green Bay scored the first seven runs of the game in the victory. Bullfrogs' starting pitcher Luke Lind (North Dakota State University) threw six innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and zero walks with eight strikeouts to earn the victory. Green Bay finished with 12 hits, and five players in the Bullfrogs' lineup finished with multiple hits in the victory.
St. Cloud 4, Rochester 3
The St. Cloud Rox lost a late lead and got it right back in a 4-3 victory over the Rochester Honkers on the road on Wednesday night. St. Cloud led 3-1 before Rochester tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with two runs. The Rox came back with a run in the top of the eighth inning for the victory. St. Cloud's starting pitcher Dan Metzdorf (Boston College) did not earn a decision and gave up one run on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts. Rox Shortstop Brett Pope (Western Carolina University) finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI, one run scored and a walk.
Waterloo 17, Thunder Bay 10
The Waterloo Bucks scored 14 runs in the first two innings to beat the Thunder Bay Border Cats 17-10 at home on Wednesday night. Waterloo outhit Thunder Bay 22-17 in the victory. Bucks' designated hitter Robert Neustrom (Iowa) finished 4-for-5 at the plate with three RBI and two runs scored, while centerfielder Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) hit 3-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored. First baseman Travon Benton (New Mexico Junior College) hit 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored for the Bucks.
Thursday's Schedule
Battle Creek @ Lakeshore (7:05 PM) – Game 1
Lakeshore @ Battle Creek (8:05 PM) – Game 2
Kenosha @ Wisconsin (6:35 PM)
Rochester @ Duluth (6:35 PM)
Thunder Bay @ Eau Claire (6:35 PM)
Waterloo @ Willmar (7:05 PM)
Kalamazoo @ Wisconsin Rapids (7:05 PM)
Madison @ St. Cloud (7:05 PM)
Rockford @ Green Bay (7:05 PM)
La Crosse @ Mankato (7:05 PM)
