The Huskies, Kingfish, and Loggers all retained their impressive win streaks as all three teams received stellar pitching performances, retaining their place at the top of their division's standings. Madison and Waterloo won tonight as well, as both teams will look to make a move back into playoff contention in the first half.
Kenosha 6, Kalamazoo 1
The Kingfish built upon their league-best record of 11-4 by winning their sixth straight game, coasting to victory against Kalamazoo on the road. Kenosha scored two runs in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th innings, while their pitching staff kept the Growlers lineup in check throughout the entire night. Starter Brendon Allen (Eastern Illinois) got into a solid groove on the mound as he pitched eight full innings, allowing just one run on three hits and struck out four, as he boosted his record to 1-2 on the season. Kingfish Designated Hitter Andrew Brahier (UW-Oshkosh) recorded his first home run of the season, as he finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Growlers 2nd Baseman Kory Brown (Bowling Green) was the lone batter to do any damage tonight as he went 2-for-2 with a walk, as Kalamazoo remains in 9th place in the South Division with a 4-11 record.
Lakeshore 6, Eau Claire 1
Lakeshore scored five runs in the 3rd inning as they received a strong display of pitching all night as they defeated the Express on the road. Chinooks Left Fielder Lucas Raley (Lake Erie) smashed his first home run of the year, while Kyle Fiala (Notre Dame) contributed a two-run single to the offensive effort. Chinooks pitcher Jesse Scholtens (Wright State) continues the consecutive strong outings by Lakeshore starting pitchers as he threw seven innings, only giving up one run on six hits, while striking out five Express batters. Eau Claire Left Fielder Tyler Jones (Air Force) recorded his second home run of the season as the Express fall to 5-10 in the North.
Duluth 5, St. Cloud 0
The North-leading Huskies matched a league-best seven straight wins as they scored four runs in the 6th inning, and blanked the St. Cloud Rox. Duluth’s Toby Anderson (Minnesota) performed flawlessly as he surrendered just four hits and struck out three, as he earned his first victory on the year. Reliever Landon Smith (Montevallo) tossed a scoreless 8th and 9th inning as the Huskies pitching staff completed the shut out. Duluth 1st Baseman Alex Wojciechowski (Minnesota-Duluth) provided the spark in the lineup tonight as he smacked a three-run double in the 6th inning, which broke the game wide open. Rox outfielder Michael Strem (Boston College) seemingly as the only batter to solve the Huskies pitchers as he recorded two hits, as St. Cloud falls 1 ½ games behind Duluth for the North Division lead. Eau Claire Left Fielder Tyler Jones (Air Force) recorded his second home run of the season as the Express fall to 5-10 in the North.
Madison 5, Green Bay 3
The Mallards got back to their winning ways as they battled back from a 3-0 deficit and scoring two runs in the 5th, and three runs in the 8th inning, improving to 8-6. Madison leadoff man Cameron Frost (Washington State) provided a solid night at the plate, registering an RBI triple, while scoring a run. Reliever Hever Bueno (Arizona State) pitched a clean 2/3 innings through the 8th, as he picked up his first victory, while closer Vince Arobio (Pacific) closed the door in the 9th inning as he collected his second safe on the year. Green Bay Designated Hitter Ryan Donovan (Hofstra) carried the whole offense as he went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, as the Bullfrogs dropped to 5th place in the South Division.
Willmar 5, Rochester 1
Willmar picked up a big divisional win at home as they defeated the Honkers, backed behind a brilliant pitching performance. Stingers starter Will Lydon (Pacific) continues to dominate off the mound as he tossed six strong innings, giving up no earned runs, three hits, while striking out four, as he moved to 3-0, tying the league-lead for wins. Willmar Shortstop Tyler Leffler (Bradley) contributed a clutch two-run single to the offensive effort, as he now has registered hits in each of his last three games. Honkers Center Fielder Matt Fiedler (Minnesota) was seemingly the only batter that could figure out Lydon, and the Willmar pitching staff as he went 2-for-2 at the plate, while also drawing two walks. Rochester has now dropped three straight games, and now sit in third place in the North Division.
Mankato 11, Alexandria 1
After jumping out to a 9-0 lead, the Moondogs took the foot off the gas pedal, and eased to victory as they blew out the Blue Anchors at home Tuesday night. Mankato Catcher Kaden Moore (Indiana State) had a powerful night with the bat, as he registered two hits, one being a double, and the other being three-run a home run, he would finish with four RBIs on the night. The Moondogs used a platoon of pitchers on their staff as reliever Ben Nelson (Central Arizona) needed just two innings of work to pick up his first win of the year. Alexandria’s Ricky Sanchez (Notre Dame) contributed the only offense on the night, going 2-for-5 with an RBI double in the 3rd inning.
La Crosse 6, Wisconsin Rapids 3
The Loggers scored runs in the 5th, 7th, and 9th innings as they chipped away, winning their sixth straight game and firmly placing themselves in second place in the South. La Crosse starter Zach Lewis (Wabash College) held off the Rafters from getting any sort of lead, as he pitched seven innings, giving up three runs on eight hits, while striking out three as he improved to 1-1 on the year. Outfielder Grant Fennell (Nevada) recorded his first home run of the season; he would add another hit on the night, while finishing with two RBIs. Wisconsin Rapids Designated Hitter Sam Tolleson (Central Florida) swung a solid bat, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, as the Rafters have now dropped two straight, and now own a 6-8 record.
Waterloo 9, Thunder Bay 1
Waterloo racked up sixteen hits, as they took care of the Border Cats at home, pushing them only a half game behind Duluth in the division. A trio of Bucks absolutely mashed Thunder Bay’s pitching as Mikel Hill (Winston-Salem), Alex Boxwell (Minnesota), and Luke Stratman (Lamar C.C.) combined for a whopping ten hits, six RBIs, and five runs. Starter Preston Church (Western Illinois) sailed to his second victory of the season going six innings, giving up a run on four hits, and punched out seven batters. Thunder Bay’s Grant McKown (Florida Tech) continues to absolutely destroy any pitching he faces as he went a perfect 4-for-4, upping his hitting streak to nine games, and now owns the highest batting average in the league at .444, as the Border Cats fall to two games out of first place.
Wisconsin 12, Battle Creek 6
The Woodchucks blew the game wide open in the games 1st inning, scoring seven runs as they cruised to an easy victory against Battle Creek. Wisconsin Catcher Ian Yetsko (Oakland) provided a stat sheet stuffing performance tonight, going 1-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs, and two walks. Starter Simon Matthews (Georgetown) was strong on the mound, tossing six innings, giving up just one earned run, six hits, while striking out two, as he earned his first win of the season. Bombers 2nd Baseman Lin Li (Taiwan) had a solid night, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, as Battle Creek fell to 6-8, losing their third straight game.
Wednesday’s Schedule
St. Cloud @ Duluth 6:35 PM
Battle Creek @ Wisconsin 6:35 PM
Thunder Bay @ Waterloo 7:05 PM
Rochester @ Willmar 7:05 PM
La Crosse @ Wisconsin Rapids 7:05 PM
Alexandria @ Mankato 7:05 PM
Kenosha @ Kalamazoo 7:05 PM
Green Bay @ Madison 7:05 PM
