Rochester, Minn (July 18th, 2013)–As the second half of the season presses on, the divisional races are beginning to take shape. After Thursday’s action, there are close races in both the North and South divisions.
In the North, the Waterloo Bucks hold an edge despite their recent two-game losing streak. At a mark of 13-3, they rest two and a half games ahead of the surging Mankato MoonDogs, who are looking to gain a playoff berth of their own. Behind them are the Duluth Huskies and St. Cloud Rox at 9-6.
In the South, things are equally as interesting. The Lakeshore Chinooks sit at 12-4 after a recent four-game winning streak and are a game and a half up on the Madison Mallards. Laying in the weeds are the Wisconsin Woodchucks and La Crosse Loggers, who are two games back and three and a half games back respectively.
Willmar 4, Waterloo 3
The Stingers rallied with a run in the eighth and a run in the ninth on Thursday to grab a late win against the Waterloo Bucks. The Stingers used six different pitchers in nine innings to limit the Bucks to just eight hits and three runs. The loss was Waterloo’s second in a row and their lead in the North is shrinking swiftly.
Wisconsin 5, Wisconsin Rapids 3
After getting up 2-0 in the first, the Woodchucks were challenged by a charge in the middle innings from the Rafters. After pushing through it an adding a run in the ninth, the Woodchucks came out with a win. Jake Jefferies (Cal State Fullerton) let he Woodchucks with two hits and a trio of RBI.
Madison 6, Green Bay 5
The Mallards broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth with a three run inning that led to their win over Green Bay. Despite making six errors in the field, the Mallards were able to sneak away with a one-run victory. Despite the errors, the Mallards only yielded one unearned run.
Lakeshore 10, Battle Creek 7 (F/12)
The Chinooks are no strangers to extra innings this season, and they engaged in them again on Thursday. After a 6-0 lead through six and a half innings, the Chinooks allowed the Bombers to score six runs in the bottom of the seventh frame. After runs were traded in the tenth, the Chinooks finally broke through with three in the 12th to grab the win.
Alexandria 9, Thunder Bay 6
As the score might suggest, this game was close the whole way through. Fortunately for the Blue Anchors, their offense was just a bit better on this night. Georgie Salem (Alabama) paced the offense out of the lead off spot with two hits, two runs, and four RBI.
La Crosse 16, Eau Claire 1
This game is on the short list of most lopsided games on the season. The Loggers dominated both at the plate and on the mound for Thursday’s win. Kevin Zak (Grand Valley State) led the offense with a home run and four RBI while Zack Reser (Oregon State) dominated through six innings on the mound in the win.
Rochester 3, Mankato 2 (F/13)
After the teams traded runs in the sixth inning, no runs crossed the plate until Rochester scored in the 13th. The MoonDogs had an especially rough night after their starter only went three innings. They were fortunate to get six different solid outings, though they were unable to snag a win. The Rochester bullpen was the story in this game as they allowed just one hit over seven innings of work.
St. Cloud 6, Duluth 2
The Rox scored five times in the first inning and cruised from that point in Thursday’s win over Duluth. Starting pitcher Lucas Long (San Diego) pitched 8.2 innings and allowed only two unearned runs on four hits while striking out six batters. The bullpen followed behind him and recorded the final out to seal the win.
Friday Schedule (Time is 7:05 unless otherwise noted):
Wisconsin Rapids vs. Wisconsin- 6:35
Lakeshore vs. Battle Creek
Thunder Bay vs. Duluth
Madison vs. Green Bay
Mankato vs. Willmar
Alexandria vs. St. Cloud
Waterloo vs. Rochester
Eau Claire vs. La Crosse
