Rochester, Minn (July 6th, 2013)–First half teams that ended up strong do not appear to be slowing down simply because the second half is under way. On Saturday night, the top teams from the first half standings continued to put up strong performances.
In La Crosse, the Loggers took home a convincing win over the Battle Creek Bombers. With the win, the Loggers move to 3-0 in the second half and look to continue to improve after a tough end to the first half.
In Rochester, the Waterloo Bucks simply continue to roll as they stomped the Honkers in a big road win. J.T. Miller (Wabash College) made the start for the Bucks and allowed just one run while picking up the win.
La Crosse 9, Battle Creek 4
A quick peek at the box score of this match up may leave you seeing double, and that’s because of the eerily similar night put up by each member of the left side of the Logger infield. Chris Keck (UCLA) and Brandon DeFazio (San Mateo) each went 3/4 with two runs scored and three RBI. They also each contributed a triple and a home run.
Wisconsin Rapids 6, Madison 5
The Rafters disrupted Saturday’s theme by downing the Mallards on the road. Donnie Dewees (North Florida) went 3/4 with four RBI along with a pair of doubles to lead the Rafters on offense. Madison’s offense was unable to get going as the middle of their lineup went just 4/17 with no runs and no RBI.
Mankato 3, St. Cloud 0
This game was all about Cameron Giannini (Southern Mississippi) and his dominance on the mound. Giannini went eight shutout innings and allowed just five hits while striking out ten batters to completely baffle the Rox hitters.
Duluth 4, Alexandria 1
Much like the game in Mankato, this game was dominated by a starting pitcher. Clay Chapman (Florida Southern) went seven innings and allowed just one run on two hits while striking out seven. With the performance, his season ERA drops to a microscopic 1.66.
Lakeshore 7, Wisconsin 5
The Woodchucks got off to a promising second half start and a promising start to Saturday’s game, but the Lakeshore Chinooks rallied for a win. After the Woodchucks got up 4-0 in the first inning, the Chinooks score seven unanswered runs and carried a 7-4 lead after four innings. Andrew Stevenson (LSU) set the tone for the Chinooks as he collected four hits out of the lead off spot.
Eau Claire 8, Green Bay 4
The Express sandwiched their runs between the 3rd and 7th innings to win in convincing fashion over the Green Bay Bullfrogs. The tone was set on offense by the top three spots in the Express order. The top three hitters combined to go 6/12 with four runs and six RBI in the win.
Waterloo 8, Rochester 1
The Bucks have been the strongest team in the league this season, and they showed it again on Saturday. Starting pitcher J.T. Miller (Wabash College) had the Honker offense on lock down as he threw six innings and allowed just one run. The bullpen followed suit with three perfect innings with three strikeouts.
Willmar vs. Thunder Bay- Postponed (Rain)
This game will be made up as part of a Sunday double-header beginning at 5:05.
Sunday Schedule:
Eau Claire vs. Green Bay- 1:05
Rochester vs. Waterloo- 3:05
Alexandria vs. Duluth- 5:05
Battle Creek vs. La Crosse- 5:05
Lakeshore vs. Wisconsin- 5:05
Willmar vs. Thunder Bay- 5:05 (Game 1)
Willmar vs. Thunder Bay- TBA (Game 2)
Wisconsin Rapids vs. Madison- 5:05
St. Cloud vs. Mankato- 6:05
