The North Division continues to shake up, as St. Cloud, Rochester and Willmar are all tied for first place in the standings. The Madison Mallards ended Kenosha's six game win streak by shutting them out in a 3-0 victory. Wisconsin Rapids stayed afloat for second place in the South, as they had a fantastic rally in late innings to defeat the Bombers.
Alexandria 8, Thunder Bay 0
Led by a lights out performance from the Alexandria pitching staff, the Blue Anchors earned their fifth win of the season, keeping the Border Cats out of the run column. Starter Ryan Froom (South Dakota State) commanded the ballgame, going seven innings for the second consecutive start, allowing four hits and struck out five batters as he improved to 1-2 on the season. Blue Anchors center fielder Nehwon Norkeh (Angelo State) was sensational in his starting debut, going 2-for-4, hitting his first home run, and finished with two RBIs. Border Cats right fielder Joe Gellenbeck (Xavier) went 1-for-4, as Thunder Bay fell a game below .500 in the first half.
Kalamazoo 7, La Crosse 3
The Growlers scored four runs in the 2nd inning, which proved to be more than enough, taking the series opener against La Crosse. Corey Dempster (USC) was terrific at the top of the Kalamazoo lineup going 2-for-4, registering a pair of runs and RBIs on the night. Starter Matt Frawley (Purdue) turned in a solid performance for his team, tossing six innings, allowing three runs (one earned) and struck out three batters, moving his record to 1-2. Loggers’ left fielder Alex Merritt (North Florida) went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base, as he was the lone player in the La Crosse lineup to make an impact.
Lakeshore 5, Green Bay 2
Lakeshore picked up a huge victory at home as they took game one of their series against Green Bay, and solidifying themselves in second place in the South. Brian Keller (UW-Milwaukee) was absolutely dominant off the mound, pitching seven shutout innings and allowed just one hit, striking out six as he improved his record to 2-2 on the year. After winning Player of the Night Wednesday, designated hitter Kyle Wood (Purdue) recorded his first triple of the season, while finishing with two RBIs in the Lakeshore victory. Ty Blankmeyer (St. John’s) served up an RBI double in the loss, as Green Bay dropped to 11-11 on the season.
Willmar 7, Rochester 3
A late-inning rally carried the Stingers to second straight win as they triumphed over Rochester, creating a three-way tie a top the North Division for the first place title. Willmar’s last four hitters carried the team to victory, combining for eight hits and two RBIs. Dakota Belter (Minnesota State) collected his second win, pitching 1 1/3 innings and struck out one. Honkers’ leadoff man Alex Schultz (Nebraska Omaha) added three hits and an RBI in the loss.
Mankato 5, Eau Claire 2
Continuing to be one of the hottest teams in the league, Mankato grinded out their fourth straight win, defeating the Express on the road, moving a game out from second place. MoonDogs designated hitter Brinn Bell (St. Ambrose) went 2-for-4, knocking in his third RBI, while stealing his fifth bag of the year. Starter Brett Clark (Friends University) continues to prove himself as Mankato’s ace, tossing seven innings of one run ball, giving up five hits and struck out four, moving to 3-0. Express outfielder Sam Hurt (Madison Technical) contributed a pair of hits and runs in the losing effort, as Eau Claire fell to 9-15 in the North. Bucks catcher Adam McGinnis (Western Illinois) was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI, as Waterloo has into 6th place and two games out of first in the North Division.
Madison 3, Kenosha 0
The Mallards continue to fight for a spot in the playoffs as they received an outstanding pitching performance from starter A.J. Bogucki (North Carolina) as they blanked the South-leading Kingfish. Bogucki was stellar tonight, allowing just three hits and struck out five, improving his mark to 1-2 on the year. Mallards’ designated hitter Anthony Gonsolin (St. Mary’s) continues to lead the offense, hitting his third home run on the year. Zach Ratcliff (Ohio State) got on base twice with a single and a walk, as Kenosha snapped their six-game win streak, but still hold the best record in the league at 19-6.
Wisconsin 6, Duluth 4
Wisconsin hosted Duluth in interleague play, and the Woodchucks combined for thirteen hits and upset the visiting Huskies. A pair of Chucks both hit bombs, as Max Ponzurick (Virginia Tech) hit his league-leading fifth home run, while Albee Weiss (Cal State Northridge) added his fourth of the season. Closer Robert Zeigler (Kentucky) closed the door in the 9th inning, picking up his fourth straight save in four consecutive appearances. Duluth outfielder Jean Figueroa (West Florida) recorded his team-high third home run in the loss, ending with two RBIs, as the Huskies have now fallen into second place in the North standings.
Wisconsin Rapids 6, Battle Creek 3
The Rafters broke the 3-3 tie in the 7th inning, as their star center fielder Jake Sandlin (Georgia College) smashed a bases clearing triple, leading his team to victory. Reliever Jake Johansmeier (Eastern Illinois) entered the game in the 7th inning, and shut down the Bombers lineup the rest of the way, as he picked up his impressive fourth win of the season, coming out of the bullpen. Battle Creek’s 2nd baseman Lin Li (Taiwan) recorded three hits in the loss, raising his average to .298 through 74 at-bats.
St. Cloud 5, Waterloo 3
St. Cloud battled back from an early deficit, winning their fourth straight ballgame, moving into a first place tie with Rochester and Willmar in the North. The Rox lineup turned in a complete team effort as every starter recorded at least one hit, headed by left fielder Webb Bobo’s (S.E. Louisiana) strong contribution of two hits and two runs. St. Cloud’s bullpen carried the team to victory, led by closer Trevor Charpie (Saddleback C.C.) receiving his league-leading fifth save of the year, throwing the last 1 1/3 innings of the game and striking out one.
Saturday’s Schedule
Kenosha @ Madison 6:05 PM
Alexandria @ Thunder Bay 6:05 PM
Battle Creek @ Wisconsin Rapids 6:05 PM
Green Bay @ Lakeshore 6:35 PM
Mankato @ Eau Claire 6:35 PM
St. Cloud @ Waterloo 7:05 PM
Willmar @ Rochester 7:05 PM
Duluth @ Wisconsin 7:05 PM
La Crosse @ Kalamazoo 7:05 PM
