Published On: June 5th, 2009

Eau Claire 5 – Green Bay 2

It took a little while for the Express offense to find a groove Friday night against the Green Bay Bullfrogs.  But they received another strong pitching performance and defeated the Bullfrogs 5-2. Rudy Jaramillo (New Mexico) was the only Express starting pitcher that had not recorded a win yet this year.  That all changed Friday night as he pitched 6.1 innings and allowed only two runs to earn his first victory of the season.  Jaramillo struck out eight batters and allowed only seven hits on the game. On offense, Nolan Fadness (UW-Oshkosh) and Robbie Knight (Creighton) both recorded two hits and Joe Bonfe (Sierra College) added to his hit total with one on the night.  In all the Express totaled eight hits on the night and continued to get the clutch hits when they needed them. 

Rochester 14 – Wisconsin 1

Rochester embarked on their second road trip of the season today, and the Honkers hope it goes better than the last one. It certainly started off well, as the Honkers got their most lopsided and comfortable victory of the season, 14-1 over Wisconsin. Rochester knocked out 15 hits in the game. The Honkers are now 4-5, while Wisconsin fell to 3-6 with the loss. Brian Flynn, making his debut for Rochester, pitched five shutout, one-hit innings while striking out seven to earn the win. He did have some control problems, however, walking five on the evening. he game was put well out of reach when Rochester, already leading 4-0 after six frames, scored 10 runs in the seventh inning to take a 14-0 lead and ice the game. Rance Roundy (UNLV) paced the offense, and came through with three doubles driving in five total runs, and scored another three of his own. He also added a single to go 4-for-6. John Gianis (NC State) also finished with three hits for his second consecutive multi-hit game, Chris Auten (New Mexico State) had a pair of hits and drove in three runs, and William Arnold (Central Michigan) also picked up a pair of hits in the game.

Battle Creek 4 – Brainerd 2

The Battle Creek Bombers win yet another defensive struggle, this time defeating the Brainerd Lunkers by the final 4-2. Bombers starting pitcher Dan Holcomb (Evansville) held the Lunkers scoreless through 6, and ended the night giving up 5 hits and 1 earned run in 7 innings.The Bombers took advantage of a Lunkers’ error in the first inning and jumped out to a 2-0 lead. 2 more runs came in the 3rd and 5th innings off of singles by catcher Parker Berberet (Cypress College), putting the Bombers ahead 4-0. The Lunkers threatened late in the game, scoring runs in the 7th and 8th inning, but closer R.J. Hively shut down the Lunkers in the 9th, earning his 2nd save of the season. Catcher Parker Berberet (Cypress College) led the Bomber’s offensive attack, going 2-3 with a walk and 3 RBIs. Outfielder Chris Lewis (Western Michigan) extended his hit streak to 9 games with a single in the 5th, and ended the night 2-4 with 2 singles and a run scored.

La Crosse 6 – Alexandria 4

The Loggers got back on the right path and defeated the Beetles 6-4 in front of 3,434 fans. The Loggers got on the board early with a 1st inning home run by Aaron Gates (Pepperdine).  They then added to their lead by scoring 4 runs in the 3rd inning after the Beetles committed four errors in the inning.  Alexandria battled back to make it a game in the top of the 5th by scoring 3 runs with two outs to make the score 5-3.  Each team later added one run which concluded the scoring for the night and resulting in a Loggers victory. Aaron Gates led the way once again for the Loggers going 2-4 with 2 RBI’s and scoring two runs.  Pitcher Kash Kalkowski (Nebraska) picked up the win pitching 3.1 innings in relief and only allowing 2 hits.  Justin Prekajlo (North Florida) also had a good night for the Loggers going 2-4 with 1 RBI.  Craig Crumbly (Florida Gulf Coast) came in in the 9th and picked up the save for La Crosse.

Mankato 3 – Waterloo 2

The Mankato MoonDogs have been generous to baseball fans this summer, giving those at the ballpark plenty of free baseball in the form of three extra inning affairs just nine games into the season. Jimmy Patterson (Central Arizona) sent Waterloo Bucks fans disappointed Friday, as his 12th inning single scored Chris Murrill (Nicholls State) as the MoonDogs dropped the Bucks 3-2 at Riverfront Stadium. Patterson’s game-winner solved Bucks reliever Bob Lackovic (Creighton), who had come into the final frame allowing just one hit in three innings, and gave the ‘Dogs their third win in their last four games despite being outhit 13-8 on the evening. Murrill provided half the MoonDog hits, going 4-6 with two runs an RBI and a stolen base. He now leads the team with four swipes this season. Trever Adams and Phil Keppler (Iowa) both had three hits to pace the Bucks. Tony Manville (Northern Illinois) posted his first win of the season, going three innings in relief and striking out three. Lackovic took the loss, allowing three hits and striking out three in his relief stint.

Madison 9 – St. Cloud 5

It was Alex McClain’s (Memphis) turn to be the hero on Friday night as he sent the crowd of 6,252 home happy with his walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to give the Mallards a 9-5 victory over St. Cloud at the “Duck Pond”. McClain hit the second walk-off home run for a Madison player this season and gave the Mallards their sixth straight win and a chance to sweep the 6-game homestand tomorrow night. The Mallards had a tough time with St. Cloud starter, Logan Birr (St. Cloud State). The right hander gave up two runs on four hits over seven solid innings and left with a 5-2 lead. Not only was the offense slow going to start the game, but so was the defense in committing three errors leading to two unearned runs. Mallard starter Brad Allen (Elgin CC) gave up four runs (2 earned) on seven hits and walked a pair over five innings. In total, the Mallard pitching staff walked nine River Bats. In the ninth, Tyson Blaser (Iowa) earned a one out walk and moved over to third on Wikoff’s double to left. An intentional walk to Joe De Pinto (USC) set up McClain’s heroics to keep the Mallards unbeaten at home so far this season.

Thunder Bay 7 – Duluth 2

The Border Cats had their biggest offensive output of the season pounding out 15 hits in a 7-2 romp over the Duluth Huskies on Friday night.  A faithful crowd of 629 braved the cold temperatures and windy conditions at Port Arthur Stadium.  Outfielderrs Garret Houts (USC) and Adam Courcha (New Mexico) both had two-run doubles as the Cats broke the game open with a five run second inning.  Houts finished the night 2-5 with two RBI’s and two runs scored.  Courcha was 3-5 with a pair of runs batted in.  Shortstop Derek Hamblen (Belmont) went 4-4 and scored one run.  Randy Mower pitched seven solid innings, allowing two runs on seven hits.  The lefthander from St. Joesph’s walked two and struck out three.  In 15 innings pitched this season, Mower has allowed only two earned runs.

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