Alexandria 11, Mankato 8
The Beetles were out-hit 14-11, but won the game 11-8 at Knute Nelson Park. The Beetles third basemen, Jake Tanis (Mercer), was 4-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI. Beetles left fielder, Will Miller (Furman), also had a great day at the plate going 2-for-4 with four RBI. Dan Lazzaroni (Alabama Huntsville) threw 2.2 innings in relief to earn to win while giving up no runs. The MoonDogs were led by Jordan Steranka (Penn State) who was 4-for-6 with two runs scored.
Wisconsin 8, Battle Creek 3
The Wisconsin Woodchucks topped the Battle Creek Bombers 8-3 tonight, and maintained their lead atop the south division. Picking up the win for the ‘Chucks was Nick Capito (Santa Barbara), who made his first appearance as a Woodchuck. Capito went 6.0 innings in his debut, allowing three earned runs on seven hits, while striking out three. Jayson McClaren (Nevada) continued his absolutely dominant season, picking up the three inning save while allowing only one base runner. The Woodchucks posted a 4 spot in the bottom of the first, and although it was enough to clinch the win, they would tack on four more runs over the course of the game. Battle Creek starter Nate Blankemeyer (Cleveland State) would see 8 runs come across the plate, five of which were earned.
Waterloo 8, Eau Claire 5
The Waterloo Bucks beat the Eau Claire Express Thursday night by a score of 8-5 in Waterloo. The Bucks and Express were tied at five after the sixth inning, but the Bucks put up a three run seventh inning to take the game. Bucks right fielder, Nick Anderson, was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Paul Twining (Santa Clara) got the win throwing 3.2 innings in relief while giving up two earned runs. Express second basemen, Drew Heithoff (Augustana) continued his hot hitting going 2-for-3 with one run scored.
Green Bay 5, Madison 1
The Green Bay Bullfrogs made a one day road trip to take on the Madison Mallards for the second time in two days. The Bullfrogs came out on top for the second straight day, winning 5-1. Mark Anderson (St. Mary’s) recorded his first win with the Bullfrogs after he came in, in relief of starter Tim Shibuya (UC-San Diego). Anderson pitched four scoreless innings allowing two hits and striking out three batters. Scott Schebler (Wichita State), Tom Barry (San Francisco), Paul Hoenecke (Wisconsin Milwaukee) and Troy Scott (Washington) all recorded two hits apiece for the Bullfrogs. Schebler and Barry both recorded two RBI in the contest.
Willmar 4, Brainerd 2
The Willmar Stingers earned to win over the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers 4-2 in extra innings Thursday night. Willmar led the game 2-0 after the fourth, but the Lunkers tied it up at 2-2 after the eight. Eventually the Stingers put up a two spot in the tenth to earn the win. Isaac Ballou (Marshall) continued to play well batting 2-for-5 with one run scored and two RBI. Stinger starter, David Carroll (Western Nevada), threw well from the starting role, but Jacob Barnes (Florida Gulf Coast) earned the win throwing one shut out inning.
Wisconsin Rapids 1, La Crosse 0
Matt Baudino (La Verne) would simply not allow a fourth straight loss on his record. A loser in his first three, Baudino fought his way in and out of trouble, before finishing the night with six innings of no run, three hit baseball and a 1-0 win. The offense sparked just once in the bottom of the fourth inning for the Rafters. Matt Johnson (Cal Baptist) doubled, and then Jenzen Torres (Cal Poly) bounced a two hopper to the first baseman. But the throw to first pulled the pitcher off the bag and Johnson scored the games only run. Loggers Starter Tony Mueller (Winona State) allowed just that single unearned run and struck out 11 through eight innings. After Baudino’s stellar performance, double barrel action out of the bullpen sealed the one run win. Lefty Brad Douthit (USC) logged two hitless innings of relief and righty Steve Godawa (Valparaiso) picked up his fourth save of the season, allowing just a hit and an error in the ninth.
Thunder Bay 3, St. Cloud 1 – Game 1
Thunder Bay 8, St. Cloud 3 – Game 2
The Border Cats swept of pair of games from St. Cloud Thursday night beating the River Bats 3-1 and 8-3. The Cats, have now won three straight and five of their last six to pull to within 2.5 games of first place Rochester in the North Division. In the conclusion of Wednesday’s suspended game, Evan Mistich (Panola Jr. College) blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Thunder Bay a 3-1 win. For Mistich, it was his second home run of the season and made of winner out of reliever Matt White (Rollins College). White pitched a scoreless 9th inning as he improved his record to 1-0.
In the nightcap, Thunder Bay’s Eric Brown (UBC) continued his outstanding work on the mound as the Cats won 8-3. Brown fired a five hitter over 7.0 innings, allowing just one unearned run and striking out three. The right-hander is now 2-0 on the season and has the second best earned run average in the NWL at 0.39. Ken Battiston (Eastern Michigan) hammered a three-run homer in the 7th inning, his second of the year, and also added an RBI double. P.K. Kitamura (Hawaii) had two hits in four at-bats and scored two runs.
Duluth, Rochester – Game 1 and Game 2
The scheduled double header between the Rochester Honkers and the Duluth Huskies at 5:05 PM has been postponed due to weather. The game will be made up as part of the double header tomorrow consisting of two seven-inning games beginning at 5:05 PM.
