Rochester, Minn (August 11th, 2013)–The 2013 regular season came to an end on Sunday night as the final playoff spot was claimed. The Lakeshore Chinooks clinched the second half in the South Division with a big win over Madison and will host the Mallards on Monday. Even though the La Crosse Loggers won, the Chinooks were faced with a win-and-get-in situation.
On a whole, offenses were on display on the final day of the season. Four teams put up double-digit run totals and eight teams scored at least seven times. The largest total was put up by the Lakeshore Chinooks in their win-and-get-in contest on the road in Madison. The Chinooks scored 17 times en route to the win.
Thunder Bay played host to another fireworks display on Sunday as a total of 25 runs were scored in 11 innings of play. The Alexandria Blue Anchors tied the game with a run in the ninth before scoring five times in the 11th and grabbing the win.
Duluth 9, Rochester 7
This game turned from pitchers’ duel to hitters’ haven in the matter of an inning. After the Honkers led 2-1 through seven innings, the game was tied at seven after eight. Duluth then scored twice in the ninth to grab the win behind Brad Wilson (Central Missouri) and his four RBI.
Lakeshore 17, Madison 3
The Chinooks were faced with two possibilities for getting into the post season: win or have La Crosse lose. The Chinooks opted for the former as they demolished the Madison Mallards. Mike Papi (Virginia) led the offensive onslaught with four hits, three RBI, and two runs scored.
Battle Creek 4, Wisconsin Rapids 2
Cam Wysocki (Michigan) ended the season in style as he pitched seven innings while surrendering one earned run and picking up the win. Wysocki struck out seven batters and finished the season with a 4.05 ERA. Gabe Acevedo (Oakton C) finished the campaign with a three-hit game.
La Crosse 13, Wisconsin 2
The Loggers did their part in trying to get to the playoffs as they came out with a win on Sunday. However, they were not able to get any kind of help from Madison in the process. Brandon DeFazio (San Mateo) collected three hits and drove in three runs to drive the offense.
Alexandria 15, Thunder Bay 10 (F/11)
Thunder Bay fans got to end the year watching another big offensive night. With 25 runs and 30 hits combined, Sunday’s finale was one of the biggest offensive games on the season. Eleven different players drove in runs, but Adam Collins (Central Michigan) led that category with three RBI.
Willmar 7, Waterloo 5
The Stingers enjoyed a win in front of their home crowd on Sunday as they prevented the Bucks from adding to their record for wins in a season. Colin Poche (Arkansas) pitched seven innings and allowed three runs while picking up the win. On the season, Poche finishes with a 2.27 ERA.
St. Cloud 5, Mankato 2
The St. Cloud Rox scored four times in the bottom of the eighth inning to seal a win in their final game in 2013. The top eight hitters in the order all recorded hits as four of them drove in runs. Reese Gregory (St. Cloud State) finished the year in front of his hometown crowd with seven shutout innings where he allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out six.
Green Bay 7, Eau Claire 8
The Bullfrogs scored seven times in the first three innings, but the Express did not have plans to lose on Sunday. The Express came back quickly and had a lead by the end of the sixth inning. The last five pitchers to appear for Eau Claire pitched a shutout inning, and only one batter reached base over that span.
Monday Playoff Schedule:
Madison (Staub) vs. Lakeshore (Greenfield)- 6:35
Waterloo (Johnson) vs. Duluth (Chapman)- 6:35
Check out all the highlights from the final day in the season here.