Three teams split double-headers and two teams moved into sole posession of each division on a jam-packed slate with 12 games on Tuesday night.
Eau Claire 8, Duluth 2 (Game 1)
The Huskies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first but the Express bounced back with a four-run first of their own and shutout Duluth over the next eight innings in an 8-2 win. Drew Turbin (Dallas Baptist) led the Eau Claire offense as he went 2-3 with a double, two runs and three RBIs. After the Express starter was chased without completing the first inning, Eann Cox (Lewis) and Austin Stroschein combined for seven plus scorless innings, with Cox getting the win.
Kenosha 5, Mankato 0 (Game 1, 7 innings)
A three-run seventh turned a pitching duel into an easy win as the Kingfish snuck by the MoonDogs, who left six on base, 5-0. Mankato's Jake Jenkins pitched all seven innings, allowing five runs- just two of which were earned while striking out two to take the loss. Kenosha leadoff hitter Taylor Douglas (Tennessee-Martin) had his number as he went 2-4 with a pair of two-RBI singles. The Kingfish used the combination of Zach Morgensten (Augustana) and Paul Schuster (SIUE) to hold Mankato to just four hits. Morgensten struck out four over five innings for the win while Schuster threw two innings to earn the save.
Rochester 2, Willmar 0 (Game 1, 7 innings)
After four straight postponments, Willmar came out and lost their first game since June 6th as the Honkers snapped the Stingers seven-game winning streak with a 2-0 win. Rochester scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to break up a shutout and the Stingers went quietly in the seventh to secure the Honkers win. Casey Fletcher and Karl Sorenson hit back-to-back RBI singles to back starter Seth Holbert (Sam Houston St), who picked up the win. Holbert went six shutout innings and struck out six while allowing just four hits before turning the ball over to Jeff Campbell (North Dakota). Campbell threw a perfect inning to pick up his first save.
Madison 1, Lakeshore 0
Lakeshore couldn't complete a three-game sweep of the Mallards as a lone run in the second proved to be the difference in an exciting pitchers duel. Chinooks right-hander Mike Letkewicz (Augustana) took the loss despite going six innings with five strikeouts as he gave a RBI single to Robbie Tenerowicz. Madison starter AJ Bogucki (North Carolina) took the win as he went five scoreless innings without a walk while striking out four. Teammate Tim Black (Central Michigan) picked up his fifth straight save and sixth on the year.
Battle Creek 4, Green Bay 2
A three-run fifth was the difference as the Bombers eked out a 4-2 win in a game filled with runners left on base. Both teams combined to leave 25 on base, including 14 Bullfrogs. Battle Creek starter Marcellus Sneed (Madison Col) struggled with his command (six walks) but allowed just one run over five innings to pick up the win. Joe Mockbee (Michigan St) picked up a 2 1/3 inning save, striking out two in the process.
St. Cloud 4, Alexandria 1
The Rox scored two in the bottom of the sixth and tacked on one apiece in the following two innings to overcome a 1-0 deficit and down Alexandria, 4-1. St. Cloud's Charles Galiano (Fordham) hit a solo home run while teammate Chris Paul (Cal-Berkley) drew three walks on the day. Rox starter Tim Faix (Kent St) picked up his first Northwoods win with six innings of one-run ball, allowing just four hits. Kevin Burgee (Georgia State) picked up his fourth save and worked out of a jam as he allowed two hits in the ninth.
Wisconsin 10, Kalamazoo 5
La Crosse 9, Wisconsin Rapids 4
Mankato 5, Kenosha 2 (Game 2, 7 innings)
Duluth 2, Eau Claire 0 (Game 2, 7 innings)
Willmar 4, Rochester 1 (Game 2, 7 innings)
Waterloo 4, Thunder Bay 0
Wednesday's Schedule (All games at 7:05 unless otherwise noted)
Mankato @ Duluth (6:35)
Waterloo @ Eau Claire (6:35)
Lakeshore @ Kenosha
Wisconsin Rapids @ Kalamazoo
Battle Creek @ Madison
Thunder Bay @ Rochester
Willmar @ St. Cloud
Alexandria @ La Crosse
Wisconsin @ Green Bay
