It was a milestone-filled day across the Northwoods League, highlighted by dominant pitching performances, explosive offensive outbursts, and two teams punching their tickets to the postseason. The Madison Mallards clinched the Great Lakes West First Half Championship, while the Kenosha Kingfish secured the Great Lakes East First Half Championship. Elsewhere, fans were treated to a walk-off win in Richmond, a cycle from Brian Gould, and several statement victories as teams battled through the final day of the first half.
Thunder Bay 8, Duluth 0
The Border Cats dominated from start to finish, shutting out the Huskies 8–0 behind a complete team performance on both sides of the ball. Dante Smith (North Dakota State University) went 3-for-5 including a triple and a double, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Logan Groh (University of Nebraska) went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Colin Fisher (University of Incarnate Word (TX)) went 3-for-4, scoring once. On the mound, Matteo Pare ( Troy University (AL)) earned the win with a dominant outing, throwing seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts while allowing just one hit and one walk.
Richmond 4, Rockford 3 (Walk Off)
The Flying Mummies stormed back late and walked it off in the 9th to complete the comeback, defeating the Rivets 4–3. Jacksonville Cliatt (Wallace Dothan) delivered the winning run, going 1-for-4 at the plate. Eli Bennett (Indiana University) went 4-for-5 including a double, scoring once and stealing a base. For Rockford, Davis Collie (John A. Logan CC) went 2-for-5 including a home run, driving in two runs. On the mound, Casey Blevins (Earlham College) earned the win, throwing two scoreless, hitless innings with one strikeout while allowing one walk.
Lakeshore 20, Kalamazoo 8
The Chinooks exploded early and never looked back, defeating the Growlers 20–8 in a high-scoring offensive showcase. Bryan Lorenz (UNLV) had a monster day at the plate, going 3-for-5 including a pair of home runs, driving in five runs and scoring three times. Sam Myers (Arizona State University) went 3-for-4 including a double, recording one RBI and four runs scored. Nick Allred (St. Mary’s College (CA)) went 3-for-5 including a double, tallying two RBI, three runs scored, and one stolen base. Aukai Kea (Vanderbilt University) went 1-for-5 with a home run, driving in three runs and scoring twice. For Kalamazoo, Case Sullivan (Valparaiso University) went 2-for-5 including a home run, driving in four runs. Josh Campbell (University of Michigan) went 3-for-4 with one RBI, one run scored, and one stolen base. On the mound, Casey Robinson (Salt Lake CC) earned the win, throwing 0.2 innings while allowing two hits and one walk.
Royal Oak 12, Battle Creek 6
The Leprechauns pulled away late and held off a seventh-inning push to defeat the Battle Jacks 12–6 in a complete-team offensive performance. Luke Kosko (University of Cincinnati) went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, driving in three runs and scoring once. Connor Larkin (University of Oklahoma) went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double, scoring twice. Jack Dauer (Yale University) went 2-for-4 including a home run, recording two RBI and two runs scored. Mateo Noto (Indiana University) went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored. For Battle Creek, Thomas Cooper (William and Mary) went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Dayne Wimberly (Southeastern College) went 2-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored. On the mound, Sawyer Cooney ( University of Kansas) earned the win, throwing five innings with four strikeouts, allowing five walks, five hits, and three runs.
Madison 7, Minnesota 4
The Mallards built a steady lead and held off a late push to defeat the Mud Puppies 7–4 in a game that tightened up in the final inning. Jonah Weathers (University of Louisville) went 2-for-5 with a triple and a double, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Dom Jacoby (University of Louisville) went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored. For Minnesota, Landon Jasper (Kirkwood CC) went 2-for-4 including a solo home run. On the mound, Ethan Bauerschmidt (Penn State University) earned the win with a dominant outing, throwing five scoreless innings with six strikeouts while allowing two hits and one walk. Eli Hoyt (University of Louisville)secured the save, throwing 0.1 innings with one strikeout and allowing one hit.
Green Bay 7, Fond du Lac 5
The Rockers held off a late surge to defeat the Dock Spiders 7–5 in a back-and-forth matchup that came alive in the middle innings. Max Humphrey (Kent State University) went 1-for-4 with a solo home run. Eli Selga (Golden West CC) went 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored. Payton Fort (Georgia Gwinnett College) went 1-for-4, scoring twice, driving in two runs, and stealing a base. On the mound, Alex LePage (Murray State University) earned the win, throwing six innings with eight strikeouts while allowing just three hits.
Rochester 9, Waterloo 4
The Honkers came out swinging early and never looked back, defeating the Bucks 9–4 in a wire-to-wire win. Cameron Sewell (University of Portland) went 3-for-4 including a home run, driving in four runs. Robert Orr (Univeristy of the Pacific) went 1-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored. For Waterloo, Chase Porter (University of Louisville) went 1-for-2 with a home run, driving in three runs. On the mound, Trent Adrian (South Florida State CC) earned the win, throwing 0.2 innings with two strikeouts while allowing four walks and one run.
St. Cloud 9, Bismarck 4
The Rox stayed steady on both sides of the ball and pulled away in the middle innings to defeat the Larks 9–4. Colton Rother (University of Kansas) went 2-for-4 with three RBI. Aidan Mouton (University of Kansas) went 2-for-4 including a double, driving in two runs, scoring twice, and stealing two bases. Owen Estabrook (Columbia University) went 2-for-5 including a double, driving in two runs and scoring once. Jorge Gil (New Mexico State University) went 2-for-3 including a double, scoring once and stealing a base. For Bismarck, Luke Lavin (Stanford University) went 2-for-4, scoring once. On the mound, Lucas Harrington (Northwestern State University) earned the win, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts while allowing two hits.
Eau Claire 17, La Crosse 5
The Express turned the game into a slugfest early and never relented, powering past the Loggers 17–5 in a runaway offensive showcase. Jake Busson (University of Illinois-Chicago) went 2-for-5 including a home run, finishing with six RBI and two runs scored. Matthew Maulik (University of St. Thomas (MN)) went 3-for-6 including a home run and a double, recording four RBI. Sean Cody (University of Illinois-Chicago) went 3-for-4 including a double, scoring three times and driving in one run. Cade Palkowski (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) went 3-for-4 including a double, tallying four RBI, three runs scored, and one stolen base. Anthony Martinez (Bradley University) went 4-for-6 including a pair of doubles, scoring three times and driving in one run.For La Crosse, Eli Small (Kent State) went 1-for-4 with a home run, recording two RBI. On the mound, Jackson Niederwerder (Charleston Southern University) earned the win, throwing 3.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts while allowing two hits.
Mankato 14, Willmar 6
The MoonDogs exploded early and never looked back, rolling past the Stingers 14–6 behind a massive second-inning surge.
Evan Saunders went 1-for-3 with a double, driving in three runs and scoring once. Liam Ebbs (Wofford College) went 3-for-5 with three RBI and one run scored, also adding a stolen base. Charlie Longmeier (University of Evansville) scored three times, drove in one run, and stole a base. Charlie Buckles (Florida State University) went 2-for-5 including a double, recording two runs scored and two stolen bases. For Willmar, David Estrada (University of Hawaii) went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Tyler Stull (Point Loma Nazarene University) went 1-for-1 with a double, driving in one run, scoring once, and stealing a base. On the mound, Sam Stockman (University of St. Thomas (MN)) earned the win, throwing six innings with three strikeouts while allowing seven hits, two runs, and two walks.
Kenosha 7, Traverse City 4
The Kingfish answered early and never surrendered the lead, defeating the Pit Spitters 7–4 behind a balanced offensive effort. Brian Gould (Creighton University) had a monster day at the plate, hitting for the cycle while going 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. Brendan Fritch (Davidson College) went 1-for-2 with three RBI. For Traverse City, Colin Sander (Indiana State University) went 2-for-5 including a home run, driving in three runs. JT Smith (Wofford College) went 2-for-2 and stole two bases. On the mound, Logan Borboa (San Jose State University) earned the win, throwing five innings with four strikeouts while allowing five hits, four runs, and two walks. Sotaro Ishida (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) picked up the save by striking out the final two batters of the game.
Wisconsin Rapids 2, Wausau 1
The Rafters edged the Woodchucks 2–1 in a tightly contested pitchers’ duel, using a late run to secure the victory. Nico Defazio (Houston Christian) went 1-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored. For Wausau, Ryan Chase (University of Kansas) went 1-for-3 with one RBI. Jake Berkland (University of Kansas) went 2-for-4, scoring once and stealing a base. On the mound, Sam Neal (Young Harris College) earned the win, throwing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts while allowing one hit.
Badlands 11, Minot 1
The Big Sticks broke the game open in the middle innings and cruised to an 11–1 victory over the Hot Tots. Cooper Rasmussen (Arkansas-Little Rock) was perfect at the plate, going 5-for-5 including a home run, driving in four runs and scoring twice. John Youens (Baylor University) went 2-for-3 including a home run, finishing with two RBI. Jalen Evans (Kansas State University) went 2-for-3 including a solo home run, scoring twice and stealing a base. Jackson Ellison (Liberty University) went 1-for-5 with a double, driving in three runs. Samson Pugh (Texas State University) went 2-for-4 including a double, scoring three times. For Minot, Tyler Arnold (University of Hawaii) went 1-for-4 with a solo home run. On the mound, Shane Holman (Butler CC) earned the win, throwing seven innings with seven strikeouts while allowing three hits and one walk.
Tuesday`s Schedule
Kalamazoo @ Royal Oak (6:35 PM ET)
Madison @ Lakeshore (6:05 PM CT)
Rochester @ Thunder Bay (7:05 PM ET)
Fond du Lac @ Battle Creek (7:05 PM ET)
Kenosha @ Traverse City (7:05 PM ET)
Mankato @ Minot (6:35 PM CT)
La Crosse @ Green Bay (6:35 PM CT)
Bismarck @ Willmar (6:35 PM CT)
Richmond @ Rockford (6:35 PM CT)
Wausau @ Wisconsin Rapids (6:35 PM CT)
Waterloo @ Eau Claire (6:35 PM CT)
St. Cloud @ Badlands (6:35 PM MT)