Friday night was full of exciting action around the Northwoods League. From walk-off hits to dominant pitching performances, Friday’s match ups did not disappoint.
Wisconsin Rapids @ Eau Claire
The Express rallied for two runs in the bottom of the eighth to get the win over the Rafters 4-3. The Express were led at the plate by Kyle Young (Yavapai) who went 3-for-3 with a Run Batted In. The Express and Rafters go at it again on Saturday with the first pitch at 6:05 p.m.
Willmar @ Waterloo
The Bucks improved to a 3-0 record after knocking off the Willmar Stingers 6-3. The Bucks were led by Riley Good (Texas-San Antonio). The Grandview, Texas native was 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Bucks. Good also recorded a triple in the game. Willmar is in Waterloo again on Saturday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Green Bay @ Wisconsin
The Bullfrogs shutout the Woodchucks by a score of 9-0. The Bullfrogs were led by the pitching performance of Ben Groff. Groff threw six innings giving up no runs on four hits and struck out five Wisconsin batters. The Bullfrogs and Woodchucks meet up again on Saturday at Joannes Stadium in Green Bay, Wis.
St. Cloud @ Mankato
The MoonDogs begin the season 3-0 as they take down the St. Cloud Rox 10-5. The MoonDogs were led by Zach Luevanos (Lamar) who was 3-for-4 at the plate for Mankato. Luevanos also recorded two RBI and a run scored. Mankato travels to Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud for game two of this series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
La Crosse @ Madison
Juliene Jones tied the game at two for the Loggers with a two-run home run in the top of the fifth, but the Mallards stole the game Luis Munoz’s (Coffeyville College) walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to win the game 3-2. Mallards’ starter Trevor Foss (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) struck out 11 batters in eight innings pitched. The Mallards improve to 3-0 and travel to La Crosse for a 6:05 p.m. start at Copeland Park.
Lakeshore @ Battle Creek
Lakeshore was ignited by Eric Aguilera (Illinois State) and German Reyes (Winston Salem), who combined for five hits and three RBIs in the Chinooks’ win over the defending champion Battle Creek Bombers. The final score was 6-5. The Chinooks improve to 3-0 and take on the Bombers again on Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Thunder Bay @ Rochester
The Honkers were led by starting pitcher and Waco, Texas native Matt Kent (Texas A&M) Kent threw eight dominant innings allowing just one earned run on five hits and striking out out nine Thunder Bay batters. Kent was named the NWL Pitcher of the Night. Mike Lukkason hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the tenth to give the Honkers the win, 4-3. Lukkason earned the honor of being named the NWL Player of the Night. These two teams pick it up again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.
Duluth @ Alexandria
The Beetles knocked off Duluth 6-2. Alexandria second baseman David Garcia (Cal State-Monterey Bay) was one highlight for the Beetles. Garcia went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Duluth and Alexandria meet again in Alexandria for a 7:05 p.m. start on Saturday.
