Green Bay 19 – Rochester 16 (11 Inn.)

Both teams made mistake after mistake, but in a game that featured 16 total errors it was Rochester that emerged with a 19-16 victory over Green Bay in eleven innings in the first of two games this weekend in Green Bay. Every spot in the batting order had at least a hit and scored at least a run for Rochester, but it took Shortstop William Arnold (Central Michigan) stealing home with two outs in the ninth to make up for nine Rochester errors—four by Arnold—and three Bullfrog’s throwing errors in the eleventh that allowed Rochester to complete the comeback. None of it would have been possible without Danny Brock (St. Louis)—typically an infielder—who picked up his first win of the season by pitching seven innings of three-run relief after tossing just a single inning all season with his collegiate team, St. Louis. At the end of the game Rochester had 19 runs on 15 hits and committed 9 errors while Green Bay had scored 16 on 16 hits with 7 errors.

Brainerd 3 – Madison 2

Despite a late scare, the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers knocked off the Madison Mallards, 3-2 in Game One of their two game series at Mills Field. Lunkers starter Brad Mergen (Indian Hills CC) was in a groove on the hill after giving up a run on two hits in the first inning. He completed six innings and ended his night with three consecutive strikeouts of Madison’s big boppers. In the ninth, closer Drew Smith (Barton CC) ran into a little bit of a jam as the tying and go-ahead runs stood at second and third with two outs. However, he dug deep and blew a fastball by the final hitter to end the game, preserve the Lunkers victory, and pick up his first save in a Lunkers uniform. With the win, Brainerd improves to 2-1 on the season while the Mallards fall to 1-2.

Battle Çreek 1 – Thunder Bay 0

For the second straight night the Battle Creek Bombers win on a walk-off single to right, this time beating the Thunder Bay Border Cats by the score 1-0. Chris Lewis (Western Michigan) got the 9th inning rally started with a 1-out single to left. Greg Annarummo (Elon) followed suit, singling up the middle, and Jimmy Tanner (USC Upstate) finished the job with an RBI single to right. This was also Thunder Bay’s second straight game ending in walk-off fashion:  they were on the losing end of a 5-4 game versus La Crosse on Friday night. In the top of the 9th the Border Cats threatened to score, getting a man on 3rd with only 1 out. But catcher Jimmy Tanner made a fantastic play at the plate to get Andrew Schugel (Central Arizona) out on a suicide squeeze, keeping the Border Cats off the scoreboard. Then closer R.J. Hively (Cal State Fullerton), in his second straight relief appearance, recorded a strikeout with the bases loaded to end the threat. Every Bombers’ game this season has been decided by 1 run.

Mankato 1 – Wisconsin 0

In a classic pitcher’s duel, it was Mankato’s Tim Griffin who prevailed. The junior from Rollins allowed no runs on just four hits in 7.1 innings to give the MoonDogs their first win of the season by a 1-0 count over Wisconsin Saturday evening at Athletic Park. After a combined three hits through 6.1 innings by the two squads, the MoonDogs finally broke the scoreless tie in the seventh. Gabe Sandersius showed signs of tiring in the inning, walking the bases loaded before giving way to Dan Gardo. Kenny Held (Central Arizona) then bounced into a fielder’s choice, avoiding the double play, and giving the ‘Dogs the only run of the ballgame. Griffin made the most of his Northwoods League debut, striking out eight and allowing just four hits before leaving with one out in the eighth inning. The bullpen was just as impressive, as Adam Jung (Central Arizona) and Josh Castanza (Minnesota State) threw 1.2 innings of hitless ball.

La Crosse 4 – Eau Claire 2

The La Crosse Loggers won exciting game Saturday night at Carson Park by a final score of 4-2. Pitching was once again the story as the players are still adjusting to the wood bats. La Crosse struck first with and unearned run in the first. In the sixth inning the Express took the lead on a two-run double by Joe Bonfe (Sierra College). The lead did not last long however. The La Crosse Loggers scored three runs in the next half inning to regain the lead. The Express threatened again in the bottom of the eighth inning. There were runners on second and third with one out but Bobby Rinard (Yavapai CC) was thrown out at home on a wild pitch. Dominic Piazza (Yavapai CC) then hit a ball that looked like it may fall with the bases loaded, but it was caught for the third out.

Duluth Huskies 4 – Waterloo Bucks 2

The visiting Duluth Huskies produced just enough offense to eek out a 4-2 Northwoods League cross-divisional clash with the home-standing Waterloo Bucks Saturday night. Duluth, moving to 2-1, used a home run and RBI single from shortstop Zach Walters (San Diego) to fuel its attack. Starting pitcher Drew Benes (Arkansas St.) went five and a third innings, giving up just one earned run and striking out two to get the win. Their bullpen struggled in the ninth before Matt Patterson (Creighton) put out a two-on, one-out fire for the save.

Alexandria 1 – St. Cloud 0

In one of the best pitching performances in team history, Chase Porch (North Alabama) took a no-hitter into the bottom of the eighth inning, while the offense supplied just enough offense to walk away from St. Cloud with a 1-0 win.  Porch, in his Beetles debut, dodged a couple River Bats threats, holding St. Cloud’s offense lifeless through seven and 2/3 innings before a five-hopper bounced through the right side of the infield, spoiling the no-hit bid. Aaron Kurcz (Air Force) picked up his second save in three nights, holding the Bats hitless in the ninth. The only run of the game came early in the contest.  Diallo Fon (Arizona) singled in the second inning, and came around to score on an RBI single by Sean Olenek (Merer). St.  Cloud mounted threats in the fifth, eighth and ninth innings, but ended up stranding nine runners.