ROCHESTER, Minn. (June 28, 2012) – Walking-off was a common trend around the Northwoods League on Thursday, as four teams recorded walk-off wins. Six of Friday’s eight games were also decided by two runs or less.
Rochester 5, St. Cloud 6
Phil Imholte (St. Cloud State) advanced to third on a wild pitch and eventually to home the same way to win the game for the Rox, 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth. Rochester and St. Cloud meet again on Friday at 7:05 p.m.
Waterloo 3, Mankato 11
The MoonDogs were led by Chris Munoz (Oklahoma City). Munoz was 3-for-5 at the plate with five RBI and a run scored. He had a three-run double in the fourth inning and a two-run home run in the fifth for Mankato. This series will continue in Waterloo on Friday at 6:35 p.m.
Willmar 2, Duluth 4
Duluth was led by the start of Max MacNabb (San Diego). MacNabb threw six shutout innings and allowed just four hits, while striking out six Willmar batters. The Huskies will host the Stingers again on Friday at 7:05 p.m.
Madison 1, La Crosse 2
Tyler Servais (Princeton) drove an single to right field with bases loaded to score Matt Chapman (Cal State Fullerton) for the walk-off win. These two teams will square off again on Friday at 7:05 p.m. in Madison.
Eau Claire 4, Wisconsin 5
The Woodchucks got their fourth walk-off this season as Brendon Hayden (Virginia Tech) knocked in Brooks Braga (UW-La Crosse) on a sacrifice fly to center field to win it for Wisconsin. The Woodchucks and Express will meet again on Friday at 6:35 p.m.
Wisconsin Rapids 1, Lakeshore 9
The Chinooks were led by Eric Aguilera (Illinois State) who was 2-for-5 at the plate with three RBI. These two teams will play ball again on Friday against each other at 7:05 p.m.
Thunder Bay 13, Alexandria 14
With the Beetles trailing 13-12 in the bottom of the tenth, Josh Carpenter (North Alabama) hit a two-run single to right field, which would score the winning run in Dylan Raper (Oklahoma) for the 14-13 victory. Thunder Bay and Alexandria will see each other again on Friday at 7:05 p.m.
Battle Creek 1, Green Bay 3
The Bullfrogs thrived on the good starting effort of Taylor Black (Texas State). Black threw six innings, allowed one run on two hits and struck out four batters. He’s now 3-0 on the season with a 1.71 Earned Run Average. These two teams will play again on Friday at 7:05 p.m.