The weather was not too kind to the Northwoods League Friday night, as four games were called due to heavy rain. For the games that did occur, offenses dominated again as there were a plethora of high-scoring games. St. Cloud and Green Bay dueled into the first extra inning game of the season and Battle Creek completed the sweep over their in-state foe Kalamazoo.

Battle Creek 5, Kalamazoo 3

The Bombers completed the series sweep of the rival Growlers in front of a sellout Kalamazoo crowd. The Bombers were led by a platoon of pitchers as reliever Kaleb McCurry (Mars Hill College) entered the game in the 3^rd inning, pitched two full innings, only giving up a hit, while striking out three as he picked up his first win of the year. Bombers Shortstop Lin Li sparked the offense as he (Taiwan) hit a crucial 2-run double in the 7^th inning that proved to be the difference in the ball game. The Growlers received a strong pitching performance from Derek Schneider (Western Michigan) in a losing effort as he went 6 2/3 innings, giving up five runs, but only one run was earned, as he defense struggled behind him.

Waterloo 10, Mankato 4

Following last night’s walk-off win the Bucks decided to take a less dramatic route, as they remained unbeaten on top of the North Division. Carried by Left Fielder Zack Jarrett’s (Charlotte) two-run home run, giving him his second of the year and his league-leading ninth and tenth RBIs, the Bucks cruised to an easy victory. The Bucks starter Tyler Day (Stephen F. Austin) also kept the Moondog lineup in check throughout going 6 2/3 innings, giving up four earned and striking out four Mankato hitters. Moondog Center Fielder Joey Rodriguez (Wake Forest) was the lone bright spot going 1-for-5 with a two RBI double as Mankato fell to 0-3 to begin the season.

Duluth 6, Eau Claire 0

Duluth’s pitching staff was very strong tonight as they combined for a five-hit shutout of the Eau Claire Express, and splitting the series. Huskies starter Eric Morell (LaGrange College) went six innings surrendering only five hits and struck out three. Supporting Morell on the offensive side was 1^st Baseman Alex Wojciechowski (Minnesota-Duluth) who went 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs, and Shortstop Matt McLaughlin (Kansas) who had three hits, one of them a solo home run, his first of the year. Express 2^nd Baseman Tyler Jones (Air Force) went 2-for-4 as Eau Claire now sits at 1-3 on the year.

Kenosha 10, Lakeshore 8

The Kingfish bats were highly active tonight against the Chinooks as they went on to complete the series sweep. A pair of home runs led Kenosha from both Nick Sergakis (Ohio State) and Hunter Alexander (St. John’s River State), while Designated Hitter Erik Filia (UCLA) registered three hits, an RBI and two runs scored. Kingfish starter Anthony Olson (Oakton C.C.) did not have his best performance, giving up six runs over 6 2/3 innings, but received so much run support, that he still earned a win. Closer Trevor Haas (Valparaiso) went 2 1/3 innings to collect his first save on the campaign. Chinooks Left Fielder Jake Romano (Miami Ohio) has had a great start to the season, as he went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs, bringing his batting average to an impressive .471

Wisconsin Rapids 14, La Crosse 7

La Crosse jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the first two innings, but the Rafters scored twelve runs from the 3^rd through 5^th innings, as they coasted to their second win of the year, as rain shortened the game to only eight innings. Wisconsin Rapids was propelled by Jake Sandlin (Georgia College) who won Player of the Night with his 3-for-6 performance, which included a two-run home run and finished with four RBIs. Rafter reliever Jake Johansmeier (Eastern Illinois) came in with 1 out in the 2^nd inning, and finished the game going 5 2/3 innings only giving up one run and struck out five as he went the distance to gain the victory. La Crosse lead off man Mason McCoy (Illinois Central) went perfect on the night going 4-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice as the Loggers fell to 2-2.

St. Cloud 2, Green Bay 2 (Postponed After 13 Innings)

The Bullfrogs and Rox dueled into extra innings in Green Bay as neither team could pull away in the first nine innings. Bullfrog pitcher Nick Disch (Jacksonville) went 5 1/3 innings surrendering no earned runs, four hits and sat down seven. Bullfrogs 2^nd Baseman Tyler Kozlowski (UW-Oshkosh) went 2-for-4, and Rox Catcher Liam Bedford went 2-for-5 with an RBI. The game reached into the 13^th inning and a total of 6 hours and 30 minutes since first pitch when severe rain eventually called the game for good. The game will be finished and resumed when the Bullfrogs visit St. Cloud July 16^th.

Thunder Bay vs. Willmar (Postponed)

Game rescheduled July 11^th.

Alexandria vs. Rochester (Postponed)

Doubleheader rescheduled June 11^th.

Madison vs. Wisconsin (Postponed)

Game rescheduled June 22^nd.

 

Saturday’s Schedule

Mankato @ Alexandria (5:05 PM)

Battle Creek @ Kenosha (6:05 PM)

Wisconsin Rapids @ Madison (6:05 PM)

Green Bay @ Lakeshore (6:35 PM)

Waterloo @ Duluth (6:35 PM)

Willmar @ Eau Claire (6:35 PM)

Thunder Bay @ St. Cloud (7:05 PM)

La Crosse @ Wisconsin (7:05 PM)

Rochester @ Kalamazoo (7:05 PM)