Week four of Northwoods League action opened to a few games being cut short by rainfall, including the South-leading Kenosha Kingfish, who's game against Kalamazoo was suspended, resulting in a doubleheader tomorrow. The Green Bay Bullfrogs continue to climb up their division's standings, moving into 3rd place, as they swept the doubleheader against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The Waterloo Bucks walked off for the second time this season, defeating the Mankato MoonDogs in the 10th inning.
Rochester 8, St. Cloud 6 (Game One, 9 Innings)
The Honkers took game one of the Monday doubleheader, concluding the continuation game from Sunday with a narrow victory against St. Cloud. The Rox consistently chipped away at their deficit, but Rochester’s closer Spencer Greer (Dixie State) was remarkable, pitching lights out in the 8th and 9th inning, moving into a tie for the league-best in saves with four. Honkers’ center fielder Matt Fiedler (Minnesota) was great in the nine spot, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, two walks and a run scored. Rox 3rd baseman Connor Crane (McNeese State) turned in a solid effort offensively with two hits, a walk and scored twice as St. Cloud now sits two games out of first place and has only won three games in their last ten contests.
St. Cloud 4, Rochester 1 (Game Two, 7 Innings)
The Rox responded to their loss in game one as they shut down the Honkers lineup, and picked up their eleventh win. St. Cloud’s leadoff man Joe Tietjen (UNC Asheville) was impressive at the top of the order, registering a triple and two RBIs in the game two victory. Starter Sheldon Miks (St. Cloud State) recorded his first victory, going five innings, giving up a run on five hits, fanning five batters, while closer Trevor Charpie (Saddleback C.C.) pitched the last two innings, and earned his fourth save on the campaign. Honkers’ catcher Sam Hall (Dixie State) provided the only spark of offense with two hits and an RBI as Rochester fell into 3rd place in the divisional standings.
Green Bay 3, Wisconsin 0 (Game One, 7 Innings)
Part one of the seven-inning doubleheader went to the Bullfrogs, as their big left-hander Garrett Harrison (St. Cloud State) tossed a complete game shutout. Harrison was sensational with the rock in game one, pitching all seven innings, scattering five hits and struck out a season-high eleven batters. Green Bay leadoff man Logan Taylor (Louisville) set the table throughout, going 2-for-3 with a run. Woodchucks’ center fielder Connor Heady (Kentucky) went 1-for-3, and was one of two batters in the entire lineup that was not punched out on strikes by Harrison, as Wisconsin have now dropped their third straight game.
Green Bay 5, Wisconsin 0 (Game Two, 7 Innings)
The Green Bay pitching staff continued their dominance off the mound as they platooned to another shutout against the Woodchucks. Reliever Sam Brunner (Dayton) started off the game, going three innings and sat down all nine batters he faced, striking out three and picked up his second victory. Designated hitter Tyler McDowell (Washington State) contributed two hits and two RBIs in the win, as Green Bay moved into a tie for third place with Lakeshore. Wisconsin left fielder L.J. Hatch (Johnson County C.C.) went 1-for-3 at the plate, with his team now falling to 6-13 on the season.
Madison 6, Battle Creek 1 (8 Innings)
Heavy rainfall cut the series opener to eight innings as Madison moved back to .500 in the first half, as they shut down the Bombers lineup throughout, and picked up a much-needed road win. A pair of Mallards paced the team to victory as J.J. Gould (Jacksonville) and Anthony Gonsolin (St. Mary’s) combined for five hits and three RBIs. Starter Nate Hoffmann (Middle Tennessee State) improved to 2-0, hurling five innings of work, allowing a run on six hits, while striking out two. Bombers shortstop Tim McKeithan (Brown) supplied the only form of offense, going 2-for-2 with an RBI single in the 2nd inning as Battle Creek now sits in 7th place at 8-12.
Wisconsin Rapids 11, Lakeshore 7 (8 Innings)
In the battle for 2nd place in the South standings, Wisconsin Rapids exploded for six runs in the 5th inning, picking up a huge road victory at Lakeshore. Rafters 3rd Baseman Mitchell McGeein (Eastern Michigan) had a huge night at the plate, smashing his fourth home run of the year, while contributing another hit, two walks, two RBIs, and scored three times. Starter Brian Russell (Staten Island) bounced back from his last start, going six innings, allowing one run on three hits and struck out three, receiving his first win. Lakeshore’s Lucas Raley (Lake Erie) continued to swing a hot bat, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, as the Chinooks have fallen into a tie for 3rd place with the Bullfrogs.
Duluth 10, Eau Claire 6
The Huskies scored all ten runs in the first five innings as they built upon their slim North Division lead, taking care of the Express. Duluth left fielder Elijah Dilday (Nebraska) recorded his first home run of the season, adding a double and two runs to his night. Starter Toby Anderson (Minnesota) picked up his second victory, going just five innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, while striking out three batters. Eau Claire left fielder Tyler Adkison (San Diego State) was terrific despite the loss, hitting his third home run, finishing with three hits, three RBIs and two runs.
Alexandria 8, La Crosse 4
The Blue Anchors offense stayed consistent throughout, as they stunned the Loggers on the road, picking up an interleague win. Alexandria’s designated hitter Ricky Sanchez (Notre Dame) registered his second home run of the year, while also hitting a double and picking up a pair of RBIs and runs. Granted his first start of the season, lefty Thomas Watson (Santa Fe) did not disappoint, pitching five innings, surrendering a run on four hits, and striking out four as he earned his first win. Slipping into a tie for 5th place, the Loggers have lost back-to-back games, but leadoff hitter Mason McCoy (Illinois Central) added three more hits to his league-lead of 34, and improving his average to .405, which is good for second-best amongst the entire Northwoods League.
Waterloo 3, Mankato 2 (10 Innings)
Waterloo rocketed up to 2nd place in the North Division as they triumphed in extra innings, walking off at home over the MoonDogs. Bucks’ left fielder Zack Soria (Florida International) had a Northwoods League debut to remember, as he provided the game-winning single in the 10th inning, finishing with three hits and two RBIs. Reliever Brent Jurceka (Evansville) kept his team in the game, blanking Mankato over 4 2/3 innings and earning his second victory. MoonDogs 1st baseman Kyle Weston (James Madison) turned in a 1-for-3 night with an RBI, as his team fell to 9-11 in the North.
Willmar 10, Thunder Bay 9
In an action-packed Monday night, the Stingers and Border Cats lit up the scoreboard, with Willmar prevailing, and boosting their record to 11-8. Stingers duo Troy Dixon (St. John’s) and Storm Wilson (Kentucky) combined for six RBIs in the offensive outburst. Reliever Dakota Belter (Minnesota State) received a much-deserved victory pitching lights out for 1 1/3 innings, lowering his ERA to a dazzling 0.96 for the season. Thunder Bay’s Joe Gellenbeck (Xavier) slugged a three run home run, his second of the season, while completing the game with four RBIs in a losing effort as the Border Cats fell to 10-9, and 2 ½ games out of first place.
Tuesday’s Schedule
Kalamazoo @ Kenosha 5:05 PM/7:05 PM (Doubleheader)
Wisconsin Rapids @ Lakeshore 6:35 PM
Eau Claire @ Duluth 6:35 PM
Wisconsin @ Green Bay 7:05 PM
Madison @ Battle Creek 7:05 PM
Alexandria @ La Crosse 7:05 PM
Rochester @ St. Cloud 7:05 PM
Mankato @ Waterloo 7:05 PM
Willmar @ Thunder Bay 7:05 PM