The St. Cloud Rox and Rochester Honkers continue to build upon their impressive start to the second half, remaining unbeaten as the Rox blew out Eau Claire, and Rochester used some late-inning heroics for their game-winning single in the 10th inning against Thunder Bay. Kenosha downed the Loggers with back-to-back walk off game winners, sweeping the series, while Waterloo took down the league's best team, taking both games of the series against Willmar.
St. Cloud 13, Eau Claire 0
The Rox maintained their undefeated start to the second half, blowing out the Express en route to their sixth-straight victory. Outfielder Webb Bobo (Southeastern Louisiana) supplied a sensational night at the plate, earning Player of the Night honors, as he went 3-for-5 with two home runs and five RBIs. Three St. Cloud pitchers combined for the shutout victory, but Sheldon Miks (St. Cloud State) bounced back from his previous start to throw six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out five, advancing to 3-1 on the year. Eau Claire’s Brady Burzynski (UW-Stout) supplied two hits and a walk, as the Express continue to experience a rough patch in their season, falling to 0-6 and losing nine of their last ten games.
Mankato 6, Duluth 2
Mankato picked up their second straight victory, breaking the 2-2 tie in the 6th inning, and completing the series sweep over the host Huskies. MoonDogs’ catcher Kaden Moore (Indiana State) powered the offense with three hits and three RBIs, while crushing his fourth home run of the year. Brett Clark (Friends University) improved upon his dazzling record, remaining undefeated with a 4-0 mark, throwing six innings, giving up two runs on seven hits, striking out five. Duluth’s right fielder Jean Figueroa (West Florida) went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, hitting his second triple of the season, as his team fell to 2-4.
Green Bay 8, Kalamazoo 0
The Bullfrogs responded to their devastating series opening loss last night, as they dominated the Growlers at home, improving to 3-3. Green Bay was led by a stellar pitching performance by their ace Garrett Harrison (St. Cloud State) who tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and struck out four batters, becoming victorious in their third-consecutive start. Bullfrogs’ duo of Brian Celsi (California) and Mason George (McLennan C.C.) powered the team’s offense tonight, combining for five hits and five RBIs. Kalamazoo was limited to just four hits all night; Growlers’ catcher Alex Gosser (Arkansas) went 1-for-3, as his team fell to 3-5 in the new half.
Lakeshore 5, Battle Creek 3
Lakeshore opened out to a 3-0 lead after two innings, and held on to take the series sweep from the Bombers. Lakeshore was lifted by Lucas Raley (Lake Erie) and Zarley Zalewski (Kent State) three-hit nights, while Zalewski totaled two RBIs. Starter Zac Lowther (Xavier) collected his second win of the year, throwing five shutout innings of work, giving up five hits and struck out a trio of batters. Battle Creek’s leadoff man Dan Swain (Siena) continues his terrific 2015 campaign, extending his hit streak to eight games, increasing his batting average to an outstanding .320, as he recorded three hits, and swiped his eighth base of the season.
Kenosha 4, La Crosse 3
Kenosha enjoyed consecutive walk off victories, winning off a bases loaded hit-by-pitch, and improving their South Division lead to 5-1. Left fielder Erik Filia (UCLA) titled himself the hero of the night as displayed the ultimate form of ‘taking one for the team’ as he was plunked with the bases juiced in the 9th, providing the game-winner for the Kingfish. Closer Brett Shimanovsky (St. Louis) received his first win of the season, throwing a scoreless top nine, and was rewarded by the walk off in the bottom half. Loggers’ 3rd baseman Ronnie Gideon (Texas A&M) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored once, as La Crosse slid back to 2-4 in the second half.
Waterloo 2, Willmar 1
The Bucks scored both runs in the 5th inning, as they took a rare series sweep of the Willmar Stingers. Starter Jordan Desguin (Florida Gulf Coast) shutout the first-half champs throughout, going seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out five, improving to 2-2 on lowering his ERA to 1.24. Leadoff man Tyler Selesky helped out his collegiate teammate on the mound by providing three doubles and an RBI, giving him six on the year. Stingers’ 1st baseman Reagan Fowler (Creighton) went 2-for-4,as Willmar fell into a third place tie with Alexandria at 4-2.
Rochester 5, Thunder Bay 4 (10 Innings)
After the Border Cats used a three-run 7th inning to force extra innings, the Honkers enjoyed a walk off victory in the 10th inning, as they remain undefeated in the new half. Rochester’s 3rd baseman Will Paschal’s (Georgia Gwinnet) only hit of the night was the biggest one, as his RBI single scored Slade Heggen (Oregon), stealing a victory from Thunder Bay. Reliever Patrick Duester (Tulane) collected his fourth win, throwing a scoreless 10th inning, throwing scoreless back-to-back outings. Joe DeRoche-Duffin (UConn) supplied a terrific performance at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two home runs, giving him seven on the year, which leads the North Division. Border Cats’ leadoff man Carter McEachern (Trinity) added three hits and three RBIs in the tough loss, as Thunder Bay dropped to 2-4.
Alexandria 5, Madison 4
The Blue Anchors held off the Mallards, taking the series in an inevitable upset, as Alexandria continues to be a pleasant surprise in the second half. Steve Sada (Miami Ohio) and Anthony Mrosla (Des Moines C.C.) each provided a pair of RBIs in the winning effort, as their team sits in a tie for third place with a 4-2 record. Starter Graylon Brown (Angelo State) received his first win, giving up four runs on ten hits, striking out a half-dozen. The Mallards fell to 3-2 in the second half, however outfielder Scott Tyler (Ball State) went 3-for-5 with three RBIs, increasing his stellar batting average to .341 for the season.
Wisconsin vs. Wisconsin Rapids (Postponed)
Tonight’s doubleheader between the Woodchucks and Rafters was postponed due to severe weather. The doubleheader will be turned into a tripleheader on August 3rd, with the first game being completed, resuming play in the 5th inning.
Tuesday’s Schedule
Rochester @ Eau Claire 6:35 PM
Waterloo @ Duluth 6:35 PM
Wisconsin Rapids @ Wisconsin 6:35 PM
Green Bay @ Battle Creek 7:05 PM
Thunder Bay @ Mankato 7:05 PM
Alexandria @ St. Cloud 7:05 PM
Lakeshore @ Kenosha 7:05 PM
Kalamazoo @ La Crosse 7:05 PM
Madison @ Willmar 7:05 PM
