Madison 7 – Rochester 6
Madison Mallards fans were given a special treat in the Mallards 2009 home opener; a walk-off home run. Rochester jumped out to an early lead, but not even a ninth inning rally was enough to give the Honkers a win. A pinch-hit, two out, two run single by Drew Beuerlein (UNLV) gave Rochester a 6-5 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth but Arik Sikula (Marshall), who had pitched brilliantly in relief since the fourth inning, gave up a two-run, walk-off home run to Mallards first baseman Harold Riggins (NC State) to give Madison a 7-6 victory. On the day, Riggins went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. The two teams combined for 11 errors in the game.
Brainerd 3 – Mankato 2
The Lunkers offense exploded for 12 hits, including a critical 6th inning triple, at Mills Field to defeat the Mankato MoonDogs, 3-2 in the first game of their series. Lunkers southpaw Michael Gedman (UMASS) had a strong performance on the mound as he mixed up pitches and locations all night to Mankato’s hitters. He only surrendered two runs: the first off a Tony Strazzara (San Diego) RBI double and the second off of a Kenny Held (Central Arizona) RBI single. After the second run, he, Trent Wood (Youngstown St), Mike Frongello (Davidson), and Drew Smith (Barton CC) blanked the MoonDogs. Brainerd leadoff hitter Stephen Wickens (Florida Gulf Coast) reached base four times and was 3-3 with three singles at the plate.
Eau Claire 4 – Thunder Bay 3
Early in the game it was the offense, but in the end, when they needed it the most, the pitching came through for the Eau Claire Express. The Express defeated the Thunder Bay Border Cats 4-3 Monday night in game one of a two game series with the Cats. Cole Nelson (Auburn) made his first start on the mound for the Express and earned the victory. He lasted 5.1 innings and surrendered only one earned run. Drew Kendrick (UTPB) came on in relief and silenced the Thunder Bay rally in the sixth inning. Kendrick pitched 2.2 innings in relief and did not allow a run. Closer Devan Kline (Central Michigan) came on in the ninth to record his fourth save of the season. Kline has earned a save in all four of the Express victories this season.
Battle Creek 4 – Waterloo 2
The visiting Battle Creek Bombers (4-1) held on for a 4-2 Northwoods League intradivisional win in front of better than 1,100 fans in Waterloo, Iowa. After building a 4-0 lead, the Bombers watched the Bucks (1-4) strike for two runs in the eighth. Center fielder Michael Giller (Illinois) drilled an RBI single, and then an errant throw on a dropped third strike plated the second tally. Battle Creek relief pitcher R.J. Hively put out the rally with a strikeout to end the eighth and then fanned the side in the ninth for the save. His outing supported a strong start from James Jones (John A. Logan) who went five innings with only three hits given up and four strikeouts.
Alexandria 6 – Green Bay 4
In a back and forth game, it was the Beetles serving up the final blow, escaping game one of the two game set with a 6-4 win. Wes Patterson (U-T Martin) earned the win in relief, tossing the seventh and eighth innings and while allowing one run. Alex Schmarzo (St. Marys) took the loss for Green Bay, working the final three innings of the game. The Beetles held a 4-3 lead into the eighth inning. With two out and the bases empty, Green Bay’s Sam Munson tied it with a homerun to right-center field. In the bottom of the eighth, the Beetles mounted a game-winning rally with a Chase Porch (North Alabama) single driving in the go ahead run. Porch was the NWL Pitcher of the Night on Saturday after having a no-hitter broke up in the 8th inning in St. Cloud. Aaron Kurcz (Air Force) picked up the save in the ninth, leaving two in scoring position to earn his thrid save of the year.
Wisconsin 6 – La Crosse 5
For the second straight night, the Wisconsin Woodchucks ended the game in walk-off fashion as this time Jeremy Richter provided the heroics for the Wisconsin faithful. La Crosse jumped out to an early 4-1 lead but the ‘Chucks battled back as they took advantage of a couple La Crosse errors to put up two runs in the fifth and tie things up with another run in the sixth. That set the stage for the bottom of the ninth where Chad Wright (Kentucky) got things going with a leadoff single. Wright then stole second and third base and came in to score when Richter drilled a base hit to win it. Wright and Richter led the way offensively for the ‘Chucks as they each delivered three hits. Mike Mutcheson (New Mexico JC) added in a pair of hits and an RBI in the victory. Bryce Shafer (Valporaiso) was solid in relief of starter Dan Gardo (Campbell). Jeremy Brewer (Central Arkansas) picked up his second win in as many nights after he threw two hitless innings while striking out three.
Duluth 5 – St. Cloud 4
The Duluth Huskies and St. Cloud River Bats pulled an all niter on Monday going 12 innings against the with Duluth winning 5-4. Duluth was lead by Pete Cappetta (Illinois) who went 4 for 6 with 1 RBI. His RBI came on a laced triple to the right field gap. This performance rose his Batting Average to .421 making him second on the team. The biggest RBI of the night was in the bottom of the 12th when Tim Jobe (Florida Int’l) roped a single into centerfield bringing home the gaming winning run. Doug Joyce (Florida Int’l) and Nick McCoy (San Diego) also went 2 for 4 on the night. Duluth’s pitching was led by starter Justin Leith (Florida Int’l) who went 6 innings giving up 3 runs. Matt Patterson (Creighton) also made an appearance going 3 innings giving up 3 hits and 0 runs. The win was recorded by Alex Kent (Central Missouri) who threw 2 scoreless innings.
