The Sunday matinee of games proved to be exciting as both divisions continue to fight back-and-forth for victories. In the North Division standings, only two games separate six different teams, while the South Division is tightly contested between three different teams, divided by just two games.
Mankato 10, St. Cloud 3
The Moondogs scored ten runs on an efficient ten hits as they picked up a much-needed win against the St. Cloud Rox. A pair of Mankato batters recorded their first home runs of the year as Boomer Synek (Evansville) and Eric Schenck-Joblinske (Iowa) combined for five hits, four RBIs, and four runs. The Moondogs platooned their pitching staff today and kept the Rox in check all day. Wyatt Wood (Azusa Pacific) earned his first win of the year going three innings, giving up just two hits, no runs, and struck out three. Rox outfielder Kyle Serrano (Colorado Mesa) was the bright spot in the lineup as he went 2-for-4, recording his first home run of the season. St. Cloud has now fallen to a tie of 3rd place in the North Division with a 7-4 record.
Kenosha 5, Madison 1
Kenosha continues to roll through the South Division as they take the first game against the Mallards, improving their win streak to four games. Starter Josh Serio was continues his dominance through his first three starts as he tossed six innings, allowing an earned run, five hits, and struck out ten and picked up his league-leading third win. Serio’s commanding performance earned him much deserved Pitcher of the Night honors. Kenosha 1st Baseman Alex Borglin (Central Michigan), led the offense with two hits, and advanced his hit streak to six games. Mallards’ outfielders Logan Regnier (Central Michigan) and Cameron Frost (Washington State) registered two hits each as Madison continues their tough stretch as they have now lost four straight games.
Thunder Bay 4, Rochester 2
Thunder Bay scored three runs in the last two innings as they defeated Rochester, and are now riding a three-game win streak. Border Cats duo Grant McKown (Florida Tech) and Mikael Mogues (Seton Hall) led the comeback effort as they combined for four hits and two RBIs. The Thunder Bay bullpen was absolutely vital in the victory as Kyle Von Ruden (Hawaii) and Mitch Kuebbing (Longwood) allowed just one base runner in a combined 4 2/3 innings of relief. Rochester Designated Hitter Brad Mathiowetz (Des Moines C.C.) smashed his second home run of the season as the Honkers are now tied for the North Division lead with the Waterloo Bucks.
Green Bay 10, Battle Creek 7
The Bullfrogs never trailed throughout the whole contest as they protected their home field advantage, handing the Bombers a loss in a high-scoring affair. Green Bay Catcher Franco Guardascione (Jacksonville) recorded a pair of double, and picked up four RBIs, while Center Fielder Connor Ross (Fort Hays State) launched a solo home run, his first in a Bullfrogs jersey. Reliever Connor Donovan (Lehigh) needed just 2/3 innings of relief as he collected his first victory of the season. Bombers Center Fielder Dan Swain continues to be strong out of the leadoff spot, as he picked up two more hits, and an RBI as Battle Creek has now fallen back to 6-7.
Waterloo 9, Eau Claire 2
Waterloo went back to their winning ways as they defeated the Express handily, on the road. Bucks’ leadoff man Taylor Boyd (St. Joseph’s) knocked in three RBIs, and picked up his first triple, while Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) hit a three-run home run in the first inning. Waterloo starter Carson McPherson (Murray State) need just five innings of work, giving up just two runs on four hits, striking out five as he improved to 1-1. Eau Claire Left Fielder Tyler Jones (Air Force) went 2-for-4 with an RBI in a losing effort, moving the Express to 4-9 in the first half.
Duluth 7, Willmar 2
The Huskies recorded just four hits, but walked ten times as they manufactured seven runs, as they are just a half-game out from the North Division lead. Duluth Catcher Dominic Miroglio (San Francisco) provided a strong effort at the plate going 2-for-5 with an RBI double. Starter Alex Strizak was great in his second start of the year tossing 5 1/3 innings, giving up just one run on five hits and struck out six, becoming 1-0. Stingers Shortstop Tyler Leffler (Bradley) recorded three hits on the day, while hitting his first home run of the year, as Willmar now sits at 6-5 in the North Division.
Wisconsin Rapids 9, Kalamazoo 2
Scoring at least one run in each of the first five innings, the Rafters paced their way to taking the first game at home against the Kalamazoo Growlers. Wisconsin Rapids Center Fielder Jake Sandlin (Georgia College) dazzled with four hits and four RBIs as he earned his second Player of the Night in 2015. Jack Riley (UConn) took the mound for the Rafters and went six innings giving up two earned runs, seven hits and struck out five Growlers. John Soteropulos (California) was the lone bright spot in the Kalamazoo lineup as he was a perfect 3-for-3 and a walk, as Kalamazoo remains in 9th place in the South with a 3-10 record.
La Crosse 6, Alexandria 0
The Loggers pitching staff was outstanding today as they held the Blue Anchors to just four hits, and took the first game between the two interleague teams. La Crosse lefty Ryan Marks (Columbia) was flawless in his debut, going five innings, surrendering just two hits and struck out four, collecting the victory. Designated Hitter Brock Lundquist (Long Beach State) was terrific, with three doubles and four RBIs, recording six hits in the series. Alexandria Right Fielder Ben Allen (Des Moines C.C.) was the only batter to have success, going 3-for-3, as the Blue Anchors have really fallen into a deep hole, as they are now a league-worst 2-10.
Lakeshore 6, Wisconsin 2
A four-run 4th inning proved to be the difference in the ballgame for the Chinooks, as they took care of the Woodchucks. A pair of outfielders led the offensive charge for Lakeshore as Lucas Raley (Lake Erie) and Jake Romano (Miami Ohio) provided a solid 1,2 punch in the lineup combining for three hits and three RBIs. Lakeshore starter Gavin Downs (Purdue) was lights out again on the mound, pitching seven innings, only allowing a run on eight hits, and struck out four, improving his record to 2-0. The Woodchucks have now dropped three straight games, but Center Fielder Taylor Kohlwey (UW-La Crosse) had a solid day at the plate going 2-for-4 with an RBI triple.
Monday’s Schedule
Madison (7-5) @ Kenosha (9-4) 6:35 PM
Waterloo (9-4) @ Eau Claire (4-9) 6:35 PM
Battle Creek (6-7) @ Green Bay (6-6) 6:35 PM
Wisconsin (4-7) @ Lakeshore (6-7) 6:35 PM
St. Cloud (7-4) @ Mankato (5-8) 7:05 PM
Kalamazoo (3-10) @ Wisconsin Rapids (6-6) 7:05 PM
Thunder Bay (7-5) @ Rochester (8-3) 7:05 PM
La Crosse (7-6) @ Alexandria (2-10) 7:05 PM
Duluth (8-4) @ Willmar (6-5) 7:05 PM
