Saturday night's action saw the battle amongst the North Division standings beginning to amp up, as the leading Honkers fell to Duluth in the 9th inning. As a result, the North now possesses six teams separated by just two games in an absolute dogfight for the two playoff spots in the first-half. Kenosha shut out the Woodchucks, giving them nine wins in their last ten games.
Kenosha 9, Wisconsin 0
Kenosha continued to build upon their South Division lead, and league-best record by dominating the Woodchucks at their home ballpark. Kingfish Shortstop Bobby Sheppard (Buffalo) stuffed the stat sheet, picking up three hits, three runs, and two RBIs. Kenosha looked to their ace tonight and Josh Serio (UW-Parkside) delivered again tossing five shut out innings, giving up four hits, while fanning six batters, as he picked up his league-leading fourth win. Reliever Dillon Mazzoccoli (Texas State) finished the rest of the game, picking up a rare four-inning save. Chucks Left Fielder Jared Oliva (Arizona) quietly had an impressive night in the loss, going 2-for-3 with a walk and three stolen bases.
Mankato 9, Thunder Bay 0
The MoonDogs received a terrific boost from their pitching staff, controlling the entire game as they too game one in Thunder Bay. Starter Grant Hamilton (Oklahoma City) was brilliant off the mound, throwing seven innings of shutout ball, allowing just five hits and striking out eight, as he improved to 2-0. A pair of Mankato batters led the charge as Kyle Weston (James Madison) and Paul Panaccione (Grand Canyon) combined for five hits and seven RBIs. Thunder Bay 3rd Baseman Carter McEachern (Trinity) was the lone successful hitter in the lineup, recording two hits, as the Border Cats fell to two games out of 1st place in the North Division.
Green Bay 8, Madison 1
Green Bay picked up their seventh win of the season, blowing out the Mallards at home. Bullfrogs Designated Hitter Tyler McDowell (Washington State) was strong with the stick tonight, recording a trio of hits, pushing his hitting streak to six games. Reliever Connor Donovan (Lehigh) picked up his second win of the year, shutting down the Mallards through two innings and striking out a batter. Madison Left Fielder Scott Tyler (Ball State) got on base three times tonight, scoring the only Mallards’ run of the game, while Madison slips into 5th place in the South Division.
Eau Claire 2, Alexandria 1
The Express scored their pair of runs in the 1st inning, which resulted to be just enough to pick up their seventh win of the season. Left Fielder Daulton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee) led off the game with a solo home run, finishing 2-for-4. Varsho’s collegiate teammate Austin Schulfer received his first victory in a stellar performance, going seven innings, surrendering just one run on two hits, and struck out five. Blue Anchors Catcher Matt Duce (Dallas Baptist) provided the only form of offense, registering his first home run of the year in the 7th inning.
Lakeshore 7, La Crosse 3 (7 Innings)
Lakeshore continued their climb up the division standings, as they are now tied for 2nd place in the South Division after defeating the Loggers in Mequon. A fog delay brought the action to a halt in the 8th inning, but eventually resulted in the game becoming final after just seven innings. Right Fielder Lucas Raley (Lake Erie) continues to be on a tear, hitting his third home run in four games, while going perfect at the plate with four hits and a walk in five at-bats. Chinooks reliever Marshall Kasowski (Houston) made his season debut tonight and it resulted in his first victory as he allowed just one hit through two innings, and struck out four. Loggers Designated Hitter Brock Lundquist (Long Beach State) supplied two hits to his team’s offensive output as La Crosse has now fallen into 4th place in the South with a 10-9 record.
Duluth 4, Rochester 3
In a battle between the two top teams in the North Division, the Huskies scored two runs in the top of the 9th, devastating the Honkers in their own park. Duluth Left Fielder Elijah Dilday (Nebraska) tied the game at three with an RBI single, while Right Fielder Danny Lee (Manatee-Sarasota) provided the clutch at-bat, as he walked with the bases loaded, scoring the game-winning run. Huskies reliever Riley Gates (BYU) submitted 2 2/3 innings of work, allowing a batter, while punching out three Honkers batters. Rochester leadoff man Miles Mastrobuoni (San Mateo) paced the offense all night with two hits and a walk, as the Honkers retain a very slim lead amongst the division.
Willmar 4, St. Cloud 3
The Stingers scored all of their runs in the first three innings, holding off a late St. Cloud rally in the 9th inning and moved within two games of the North Division lead. Willmar Center Fielder Dan Motl (Minnesota) continues to be a spark a top the lineup adding two more hits tonight, bumping his batting average to a solid .317 mark. Starter Bradley Bailey (North Alabama) was outstanding, tossing seven innings, allowing one run (none earned) on two hits, and struck out a pair of batters. Rox 1st Baseman Connor Crane (McNeese State) added two hits on his campaign, one being an RBI double, as St. Cloud remains only one game out of the top spot in the North.
Waterloo vs. Battle Creek (Postponed)
Tonight’s game between the Bucks and Bombers was suspended due to severe weather throughout Michigan. Both teams will play a seven-inning doubleheader tomorrow, with the first game beginning at 3:05 PM.
Wisconsin Rapids vs. Kalamazoo (Postponed)
Tonight’s game between the Rafters and Growlers was suspended due to severe weather occurring in the 4th inning, with the Rafters winning 1-0. Both teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow, with the first game (nine innings) beginning at 3:05 PM, completing the previous night's contest, while the second game will be played in seven innings.
Sunday’s Schedule
Duluth @ Rochester 1:05 PM
Madison @ Green Bay 1:05 PM
Willmar @ St. Cloud 1:05 PM
Wisconsin @ Kenosha 1:05 PM
La Crosse @ Lakeshore 5:05 PM
Alexandria @ Eau Claire 5:05 PM
Wisconsin Rapids @ Kalamazoo 3:05/5:05 PM (Doubleheader)
Waterloo @ Battle Creek 3:05/6:05 PM (Doubleheader)