Rochester, Minn (August 7th, 2013)–Tuesday’s rain outs led to a huge slate of games on Wednesday night. With just a few days left in the season, Wednesday became one of the most crucial days throughout the Northwoods League. Several teams in the thick of the playoff race were faced with two games on the night.
The team with the biggest opportunity was the Eau Claire Express, who were in Thunder Bay for two games against the Border Cats. The Cats have just six wins in the second half, and Eau Claire throttled them on Wednesday. In two games over 14 total innings, the Express outscored the Border Cats by a score of 22-4.
Eau Claire also got a bit of help from the Waterloo Bucks, who faced off with the Lakeshore Chinooks. The Bucks put up a shut out as the continue to seek the league record for wins in a season. It was also a great night for the Duluth Huskies. The Huskies beat Wisconsin 12-0 at home while gaining a game on Mankato, who fell at home to Green Bay.
La Crosse 7, Alexandria 4 (F/9, Game 1)
Even though this game was supposed to be seven innings, the teams decided to play nine anyway. Despite Corey Fitzgerald (St. Cloud State) pitching six innings without allowing an earned run, the Blue Anchors could not overcome the Loggers. The Loggers tagged the Blue Anchor bullpen for five runs as they won the first game.
La Crosse 11, Alexandria 5 (F/7, Game 2)
The Loggers scored nine times in the first three innings to put the second game of the double-header away early on Wednesday. Eight hitters in the Logger order recorded hits and scored runs as they pounded the Blue Anchors in the shortened contest. Michael Katz (William & Mary) blasted a pair of solo home runs in the game.
Eau Claire 10, Thunder Bay 1 (F/7, Game 1)
The Express led 7-0 after four innings as they pounded the Border Cats in game one of this double-header. Peter Hendron (Santa Clara) tossed six innings and gave up only three hits while striking out eight and walking zero. Hendron dominated and picked up the win as Eau Claire moved up in the standings.
Eau Claire 12, Thunder Bay 3 (F/7, Game 2)
After getting off to a hot start in game one, the Express repeated the effort in game two. At the conclusion of three innings, the Express led 9-2 and cruised for the win. Eight different players in the lineup drove in runs as the Express demolished the Border Cats for the second time in the day.
Wisconsin Rapids 10, St. Cloud 9 (F/10, Game 1)
The double-header against Wisconsin Rapids on Wednesday was huge for the Rox as they try to keep pace with Mankato and Duluth. Unfortunately for Rox fans, their comeback effort fell short as they lost deep into extras. All nine players in the Wisconsin Rapids order recorded hits as they successfully played the role of spoiler in game one.
St. Cloud 5, Wisconsin Rapids 1 (F/7, Game 2)
The Rox kept their playoff hopes from dwindling as they rallied for a win in game two early Thursday morning. Kyle Fischer (St. Cloud State) pitched a complete game to pick up the win. Fischer allowed one run on three hits while walking zero and striking out four batters.
Duluth 12, Wisconsin 0
The Huskies turned in one of their best games of the season at one of the best times in the year on Wednesday. Clay Chapman (Florida Southern) tossed six shutout innings and drove his season ERA down to 1.99 while the offense piled on the runs. The offense drew four walks and pounded out 18 hits as each starter recorded at least one hit.
Waterloo 3, Lakeshore 0
The Bucks can do no wrong as they continue to push for the league record for wins in a season. Landon Simpson (Arkansas) pitched six shutout innings and was followed by three spotless frames from his bullpen while picking up the win. Kevin Needham (Long Island) hit a home run to help drive the offense.
Battle Creek 7, Rochester 4
The Bombers scored four runs in the eighth inning to spoil the Honkers’ fun at home. Three different Bombers drove in a pair of runs while the bullpen pitched five innings and allowed three runs. Despite their starter only going four innings, the Bombers were able to hold on for the win.
Green Bay 7, Mankato 4
The Bullfrogs scored all of their runs in the fourth and fifth innings as they down the MoonDogs on Wednesday. Bryant Burleson (Texas Tech) went 2/5 at the plate and drove in three runs to lead the offensive attack. Meanwhile, Matt Esparza (Tennessee) pitched a complete game and picked up the win. The loss was a big one for the MoonDogs as they lost a game on Duluth in the standings.
Willmar 4, Madison 2
Sheldon Lee (University of San Francisco) pitched six innings and allowed just one run as he picked up the win for the Stingers. The bullpen followed behind him with three innings where they struck out six batters and allowed just one unearned run.
Thursday Schedule:
Eau Claire vs. Duluth- 6:35
Battle Creek vs. Waterloo- 6:35
Wisconsin Rapids vs. Alexandria- 7:05
Lakeshore vs. Rochester- 7:05
Green Bay vs. Willmar- 7:05
Wisconsin vs. Thunder Bay- 7:05
La Crosse vs. St. Cloud- 7:05
Madison vs. Mankato- 7:05
