Some shifting took place in the North as Duluth handed Waterloo their third straight loss. Rochester swept the doubleheader against Mankato, and St. Cloud won in Alexandria, leading to both teams now tied for 1st in the division with 7-2 records. Kenosha Kingfish 2nd Baseman Nick Sergakis continues his power trip, hitting his league-leading fifth home run on the year, leading Kenosha in a five-run 9th inning, stealing a game in Battle Creek.
Rochester 6, Mankato 2 (Game One)
Rochester took game one of the Wednesday night doubleheader against their North Division foe Mankato Moondogs. A pair of Honkers led the offensive charge, as Designated Hitter Brad Mathiowetz (Des Moines C.C.) and Catcher Sam Hall (Dixie State) hit their first home runs of the season. Rochester starter Alex Evans (Barton County C.C.) was dominant in his six innings, surrendering just three hits, no runs, and struck out two, as he improved his record to 2-0. Moondogs 3rd Baseman Sulliam Rios-Reyes registered his second straight multi hit game, as he went 2-for-3 with a home run. The Moondogs are beginning to dig a hole for themselves in the North Division as their record sits at 3-6.
Wisconsin Rapids 4, Lakeshore 1
The Rafters scored two insurance runs in the 8th inning, as they took game one of the series between the Chinooks. Wisconsin Rapids Center Fielder Jake Sandlin (Georgia College) continued his torrid start to the season as he went 2-for-4 with a home run, as he now carries a .415 batting average. Reliever Jake Johansmeier (Eastern Illinois) came in the 6th inning, tossed four shut out innings and struck out four as he picked up his second victory. Chinooks Designated Hitter Doug Kraeger (Richmond) supplied the only offense on the night, as he hit a solo home run in the 4th inning as Lakeshore has dropped their third straight game.
Eau Claire 10, Thunder Bay 5
The Express split the series in Thunder Bay, doubling up the Border Cats on the road. Eau Claire was carried tonight by a pair of Air Force Falcons as starter Griffin Jax pitched well tonight to earn his first victory of the season despite the Express defense making five errors behind him. Jax went six innings, giving up five hits and struck out five. Eau Claire’s 2nd Baseman Tyler Jones also hit a solo home run, giving him his first on the year. Border Cats Catcher Nate Nolan (St. Mary’s) had a strong performance at the plate going 2-for-4, knocking in two RBIs in the losing effort, dropping Thunder Bay to 4-5.
La Crosse 8, Willmar 2
La Crosse split the interleague matchup between the Stingers, as they maintained their home-field advantage Wednesday night. Loggers’ lead off man Mason McCoy (Illinois Central) had an outstanding night atop of the lineup, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs. La Crosse starter Zach Smart (Sacramento City) controlled the Stingers bats all night, going 5 1/3 innings, giving up no runs on three hits and struck out four as he improved to 1-1 on the year. Stingers 1st Baseman Lucas Tancas (Irvine Valley) supplied the only sign of offense, as he hit a two-run single in the 7th inning, as Willmar fell to 4-4 in the first half.
Wisconsin 7, Kalamazoo 1
The Chucks kept a consistent offensive pace throughout the night as they scored runs in four of the eight innings they were up to bat, advancing to 5-4. The Woodchucks continues to be one of the most impressive offensives so far, receiving several strong performances from different individuals on a nightly basis. Chucks Catcher Albee Weiss (Cal State Northridge) was solid with the bat going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Wisconsin starter Jared Skolnicki (Kent State) earned his second win of 2015 in absolute dominant fashion, tossing five innings only giving up a hit and struck out eleven Growlers. Catcher Max Schuman (Utah) went 1-for-3 with a run scored as Kalamazoo now sits in last place in the South with a league-worst 2-8 record.
St. Cloud 8, Alexandria 2
The Rox scored all of their runs after the fifth inning as they picked up a divisional road win in Alexandria. St. Cloud’s Jake Farr (Tennessee Tech) was terrific in the leadoff spot, registering four hits and an RBI. The Rox only needed a pair of pitchers to shutdown the Blue Anchors as starter Domenick Carlini (SE Louisiana) went six innings, giving up a run and picked up the victory. Reliever Brett DeGagne (North Dakota) completely dominated in his three innings of work as he struck out seven and picked up a save in his St. Cloud debut. Blue Anchors Center Fielder Kyle Richardson (Notre Dame) got on base three times tonight, one of them being a home run in a losing effort.
Duluth 5, Waterloo 4 (10 Innings)
Huskies 2nd Baseman Jimmy Heck (Minnesota-Duluth) played hero for Duluth as they stole a game in Waterloo. Heck was strong throughout the contest as he went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI, leading the Huskies to their second straight victory. Duluth reliever Ryan Agnitsch pitched lights out in the 8th and 9th innings he improved to 2-0 to begin the season. Waterloo Designated Hitter Zach McKinstry (Central Michigan) was solid in his third game with the Bucks as he went 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Waterloo has now last their lost three games, and have no relinquished their North Division lead to Rochester and St. Cloud.
Kenosha 8, Battle Creek 4
Kenosha had an incredible five-run 9th inning rally as they grinded out the series split between the Bombers at C.O. Brown Stadium. Kingfish 2nd Baseman Nick Sergakis (Ohio State) continues to swing a huge bat, as he slugged his league-leading fifth home run of the year, his third of the series in Battle Creek. Reliever Brett Shimanovsky (St. Louis) closed the door in the 9th inning, striking out two batters and notching his second save. Battle Creek Catcher Charlie Madden (Mercer) went 2-for-4 and hit a home run in his Bomber debut, as they move to 4th place in the South Division.
Green Bay 7, Madison 3
The Bullfrogs downed the Mallards in front of a sellout crowd at Warner Park Thursday night, handing Madison their second loss of the season. Bullfrogs 1st Baseman Ryan Donovan (Hofstra) paced the offense as he went 2-for-4 with a double and picked up two RBIs, giving him 11 on the season. Bullfrogs’ reliever Sam Brunner (Dayton) earned a win in his second relief appearance on the season as he fanned four Mallards through two innings. Madison 1st Baseman Jonathan Quintana (Barry University) hit a solo home run in the loss.
Rochester 5, Mankato 2 (Game Two)
The Honkers swept the doubleheader as they took care of the visiting Moondogs, moving into the top spot in the North Division. Rochester Right Fielder Joe DeRoche-Duffin (UConn) smashed his third home run of the year, and 3rd Baseman Scott Schreiber (Nebraska) picked up two hits and an RBI in his Honkers debut. Starter Colby Green (Triton C.C.) only needed five innings of work, giving up just a run, one hit, and struck out two, as he collected his first win. Moondogs Designated Hitter Jack Flansburg (Cypress C.C.) registered a hit and a walk on the night, as Mankato remains in 8th place with a 3-7 record.
Friday’s Schedule
Battle Creek (5-5) @ Lakeshore (4-6) 6:35 PM
Kalamazoo (2-8) @ Green Bay (4-5) 6:35 PM
Eau Claire (4-6) @ Duluth (5-4) 6:35 PM
Willmar (4-4) @ Madison (7-2) 7:05 PM
Wisconsin Rapids (5-4) @ Kenosha (6-4) 7:05 PM
Alexandria (2-7) @ Thunder Bay (4-5) 7:05 PM
La Crosse (4-6) @ Wisconsin (4-4) 7:05 PM
Rochester (7-2) @ St. Cloud (7-2) 7:05 PM
Waterloo (7-3) @ Mankato (3-7) 7:05 PM