Rochester, Minn (July 19th, 2013)–The Northwoods League carried onward while Major League Baseball resumed its season on Friday. As the league continues to push into the All Star break, action remains tight and competitive.
In Green Bay, the Mallards had the Bullfrog hitters off balance the entire game as Madison took a 2-1 victory. Green Bay made a valiant effort to come back in the bottom of the ninth inning, but that attempt was quickly defeated by the Mallards.
In Rochester, the Waterloo Bucks ended their small losing streak by pounding on the Honkers with a final score of 14-2. The Bucks scored multiple runs in the third, fifth, sixth, and ninth innings to put constant offensive pressure on the Honkers that Rochester simply could not come back from.
Wisconsin Rapids 4, Wisconsin 1
The two starting pitchers in Friday’s contest combined for 12 innings and just two runs on eight hits. With the game tied going into the ninth, the Rafters finally broke through with three runs late to grab the win. Jackson Slaid (Montavello) led the charge on offense with a pair of RBI.
Duluth 9, Thunder Bay 4
After the Huskies got down 2-0 after two innings, they rallied back by dominating the middle innings of Friday’s game. The Huskies pounded out 14 hits and drew four walks as they blistered the Border Cat pitching staff. The middle of the Duluth order combined to go 9/14 with three RBI and three runs scored.
Battle Creek 6, Lakeshore 5
Battle Creek scored five runs between the seventh and eighth innings to take a late win from the Lakeshore Chinooks. Cam Gibson (Michigan State) led the offense with three hits, two runs, and two RBI. On the season, his batting average rests at a remarkable .360.
Madison 2, Green Bay 1
The Bullfrogs tried to make a late rally in the bottom of the ninth against the Mallards on Friday, but it fell just short. The ‘Frog offense couldn’t break through in support of Ben Graff (San Francisco), who pitched a complete game and allowed just one earned run while striking out nine batters.
St. Cloud 4, Alexandria 3
After both starters surrendered three runs, this game became a battle of the bullpens. Fortunately for St. Cloud, their bullpen outlasted Alexandria by going 3.2 innings and allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out six batters and shutting out the Alexandria offense.
Mankato 12, Willmar 4
The MoonDogs pounded the Stingers early as they scored ten runs in the frist three innings on Friday. John Michael Twichell (UT-Arlington) had an especially strong night on offense as he drove in four runs on two hits. Each of the hitters between the three and seven spots in the MoonDog lineup were able to drive in runs.
Waterloo 14, Rochester 2
There was a stark contrast between the two offenses in Rochester on Friday. The Bucks managed to draw nine walks and struck out ten times while the Honkers drew just six walks while striking out 14 times. The trio in the middle of the Waterloo order managed to combine for eight hits and nine RBI as they pounded the Honkers on Friday.
Eau Claire 9, La Crosse 4
The Express won Friday’s game against La Crosse by dominating the middle innings. Between the third and sixth innings, the Express scored all nine of their runs and gave their started a comfortable lead. Charlie White (Maryland) led the attack with three hits, two runs, and two RBI.
Saturday Schedule:
Willmar vs. Mankato- 6:05
Lakeshore vs. Wisconsin Rapids- 6:05
Alexandria vs. St. Cloud- 6:05
Thunder Bay vs. Duluth- 6:35
Madison vs. Wisconsin- 6:35
Eau Claire vs. Battle Creek- 7:05
La Crosse vs. Green Bay- 7:05
Waterloo vs. Rochester- 7:05
