The Sunday matinees saw an offensive outbreak as several teams hit double-digits in the run column. Willmar built upon their North-leading record, winning their fourth consecutive game. Green Bay took it to Kenosha, handing the Kingfish their third straight loss, while the Bullfrogs move into fourth place in the division. Alexandria continues to play spoiler as they have taken three in a row against the Border Cats.
Green Bay 10, Kenosha 7
The Bullfrogs took game one of their series against the visiting Kingfish, as their bats carried them to their second straight victory. Designated hitter Ryan Donovan (Hofstra) hit his fourth home run of the year, while 2nd baseman Ty Blankmeyer (St. John’s) went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, pacing the Green Bay lineup. Matt McCarthy (Penn State) collected his first victory as he threw two shutout innings of relief, giving up just one hit and struck out one. Kenosha’s Jason Scholl (Eastern Illinois) and Brody Westmoreland (San Diego State) each recorded home runs, as the Kingfish remain the leaders of the South, despite losing their third straight game.
Madison 14, Wisconsin 2
Coming off their surreal comeback the previous night, the Mallards broke out for twenty hits, and blew out the Woodchucks. Madison’s lineup destroyed the opposing team’s pitching as six Mallards players enjoyed multi-hit games. Last night’s hero Collin Theroux (Delta College) continued to build upon a fantastic weekend with his new ball club, hitting another home run, giving up two in his first two games as a Mallard. Starter Nate Hoffmann (Middle Tennessee State) cruised to his third victory, tossing five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and struck out four, as he has picked up wins in back-to-back starts. Wisconsin’s outfielder Keenan Eaton (Wichita State) went 2-for-4 with a run scored, as the Woodchucks have dropped two straight, falling to 9-16 in the first half.
Waterloo 11, Kalamazoo 1
Waterloo wasted no time disposing of the visiting Growlers, as they broke out to an 11-0 lead after the 4th inning, improving to 15-12 in the North. Right fielder Matthew James (Illinois) contributed three hits and two RBIs to the winning effort, as the Bucks lineup had no issues with Kalamazoo pitching all game, combining for twelve hits. Starter Jordan Desguin (Florida Gulf Coast) was dominant in the Sunday matinee, pitching seven shutout innings, allowing a pair of hits, while punching out ten batters. Kalamazoo center fielder Kory Brown (Bowling Green) was the lone Growler bat to provide any positive effort, going 3-for-3 and scoring the only run.
Lakeshore 12, Wisconsin Rapids 8
The Chinooks exploded with six runs in the 1st inning, and cruised to a victory as they took game one of their home opener against the Rafters. A pair of Lakeshore batters led the offensive charge as David Edson (USC) and Kyle Fiala (Notre Dame) connected for six hits and six RBIs. Reliever Zac Lowther (Xavier) improved to 1-2 on the year, tossing 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and struck out one. Rafters leadoff man Dustin Woodcock (SIU-Edwardsville) was stellar in at the top of the lineup, going 3-for-5 and scored three times, as the Rafters dropped a game below .500, sitting at 12-13.
Eau Claire 5, St. Cloud 1
Eau Claire received a solid platoon performance from their pitching staff, taking game one of their series against St. Cloud. Express batters Joe Gillette (Oregon State) and Tyler Adkison (San Diego State) knocked in five of their team’s six runs, leading the team to their second straight victory. Erich Uelmen (Cal Poly) was terrific in his Express debut, tossing 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball, allowing two hits and struck out three, receiving the win in his first appearance. Rox outfielder Webb Bobo (S.E. Louisiana) provided the only RBI for St. Cloud, as they dropped consecutive games, moving to fourth place in the North.
Willmar 5, Duluth 1
Winning their fourth straight contest, the Willmar Stingers continue to set their mark a top the North standings, as they grinded out a win against the Huskies. Starter Zach Strecker (Kentucky) added another quality start to his season, going seven innings, allowing one run on seven hits, and struck out four, improving to 2-1 on the year. Stingers right fielder Storm Wilson, helped out his fellow Wildcat teammate, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, as Willmar has now won four straight games. Huskies catcher Dominic Miroglio (San Francisco) turned in a perfect performance at the plate, going 4-for-4, as Duluth has now stumbled into game and a half behind Willmar for the North lead.
Mankato 7, Rochester 5
The MoonDogs continue to inch their way up the division standings, as they fended off the Honkers, en route to their eighth win in their last ten games. Mankato’s Brinn Bell (St. Ambrose) was great in the designated hitter role, smashing his first homer, and finishing with three RBIs. Reliever Chris Butcher (Rio Hondo) won his second straight game in his last two appearances, throwing 2 1/3 innings and struck out one. Honkers 3rd baseman Will Paschal (Georgia Gwinnet) provided a two-run double in the losing effort, as Rochester sits a half game out of a playoff spot in third place.
Battle Creek 5, La Crosse 4
Battle Creek edged out a victory over the Loggers, holding off the La Crosse in the 9th inning, moving to 12-14 on the year. Shortstop Lin Li (Taiwan) and Niko Pacheco (Cal State Fullerton) combined for six hits on the day, leading the offensive output to a home win. Min Hsia (Taiwan) turned in his third straight quality performance, in result of his second victory, surrendering three runs on six hits, striking out a pair of batters over six innings. Loggers 2nd baseman Jordan Zimmerman (Mesa C.C.) stayed hot for the second straight game, hitting his third home run on the season, as La Crosse moves back to .500 in the South.
Alexandria 5, Thunder Bay 3
The Blue Anchors collected their third straight win against the Border Cats, pushing their season total to seven in the first half. Leadoff man Steve Sada (Miami Ohio) provided the spark atop the lineup going 3-for-4 and a run scored, while Ricky Sanchez (Notre Dame) added two hits and an RBI. Alexandria starter Sean Terres (North Dakota State) provided six shutout innings, striking out four and picking up his second win of 2015. Border Cats Matt Batten (Quinnipiac) went 3-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored as Thunder Bay moved three games out of second place in the division.
Monday’s Schedule
Madison @ Wisconsin 5:05/6:35 PM (Doubleheader)
Wisconsin Rapids @ Lakeshore 6:35 PM
Willmar @ Duluth 6:35 PM
St. Cloud @ Eau Claire 6:35 PM
Kalamazoo @ Waterloo 7:05 PM
La Crosse @ Battle Creek 7:05 PM
Mankato @ Rochester 7:05 PM
Thunder Bay @ Alexandria 7:05 PM
Kenosha @ Green Bay 7:05 PM