In a short slate of Monday ballgames, offenses highlighted the contests as several teams took down opposing pitching, leading to high-run ballgames. The Mallards and Loggers split their day-night doubleheader, while rain cancelled the first game of the in-state battle between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, with the Bombers taking the nightcap in a tight contest.
Madison 9, La Crosse 4 (Game One, 9 Innings)
Continuing their momentum from their improbable comeback last night, the Mallards took game one of their series opener against the Loggers, scoring six runs in the 1st inning and cruising to victory. Catcher Collin Theroux (Delta College) carried his team’s offense this morning, going 3-for-4 with a home run and scoring twice, while knocking in four runs. Grant Spranger (Southeastern C.C.) acquired his first win of the year, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing a run on four hits, striking out a pair of La Crosse batters. Loggers 3rd baseman Chris Baker (Washington) highlighted his team’s offensive effort with a pair of hits, one being his third home run of the season, finishing the game with three RBIs as La Crosse fell back to .500 with a 7-7 record.
Kalamazoo vs. Battle Creek (Game One, Postponed)
The morning game of today’s doubleheader between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek was postponed due to heavy rainfall and severe weather. The makeup date has been scheduled for 11:05 AM on July 31st in Battle Creek, and will become part of a doubleheader that day as well.
Battle Creek 4, Kalamazoo 3 (Game Two)
Battle Creek scored two runs in the 7th inning, and held off a late Growler rally, as they took the nightcap of their in-state rivalry doubleheader. Bombers’ leadoff man Dan Swain (Siena) continues to add to his star-studded 2015 season, leading the offense to victory with three hits and three RBIs, recording his fourth home run of the year. Edgar Sanchez (Prairie View A&M) shut down the lackluster Kalamazoo lineup, going seven innings, allowing three hits and two runs, striking out five and registering his third game of the season. Growlers’ designated hitter Nick Yarnall (Pittsburgh) hit a solo shot in the 7th inning, giving him four on the year as Kalamazoo fell into last place in the South with an uninspiring 4-11 record.
Lakeshore 3, Eau Claire 0 (6 Innings)
Severe weather cut the interleague opener between Lakeshore and Eau Claire short, but the Chinooks blanked the Express lineup through six innings, winning their second straight contest. Starter John Schreiber (Kent State) tossed a complete game shutout, going all the way only allowing five hits and striking out three batters, improving to 2-0. Chinooks’ center fielder Andrew Shaps (Arizona State) enjoyed another two-hit night at the plate, earning a walk and an RBI. Eau Claire’s leadoff man Brady Burzynski (UW-Stout) went 1-for-2 with a walk as the Express dropped to 4-9 in the second half.
La Crosse 13, Madison 10 (Game Two, 9 Innings)
The Logger offense exploded in the nightcap of their doubleheader, winning their eight game in the second half, defeating the Mallards. La Crosse’s lineup totaled thirteen hits on the night, led behind Brock Lundquist’s (Long Beach State) three-hit, three-RBI night. Starter Brandon Lawson (South Florida) did not have his best pitching performance, allowing six runs on ten hits, but the run support he received propelled him to his third victory. Madison’s Ro Coleman (Vanderbilt) went 2-for-5 with an RBI, as the Mallards two-game win streak was snapped and fell to 8-5, good for third place in the South.
Waterloo 10, Alexandria 5
The Bucks dismantled Blue Anchors pitching, scoring five runs in the 7th inning and registering thirteen hits on the night, and taking the series opener, moving into a two-way tie for fourth place. Waterloo used an offensive duo of Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) and Jonah Bride (Neosho County C.C.) each recording three hits and three RBIs, while Boxwell hit his first home run of the season. Doug Hayes (Illinois) entered out of the bullpen in the 6th inning and went the rest of the way to pick up his third victory, throwing four innings of relief, allowing three runs (two earned) and three hits and striking out a batter. Blue Anchors’ catcher Anthony Mrosla (Des Moines C.C.) went 2-for-4 as Alexandria dropped their second straight ballgame.
Rochester 10, Mankato 7
Rochester scored three runs in the top of the 9th inning, improving to 8-5 and a second-place tie with Willmar in the North Division. The Honkers’ offense totaled fourteen hits on the night, and were paced by Scott Schreiber (Nebraska) supplying three hits and three RBIs, while right fielder Mark Contreras (UC-Riverside) also had three hits, scored four times, while hitting his fourth bomb of the season. Spencer Greer (Dixie State) continues to be a shining force out of the bullpen, registering his third on, tossing two innings, allowing a run, one hit, and striking out a batter. Mankato’s center fielder Christoph Bono (UCLA) had an outstanding night at the plate in the loss, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs in just his fourth game with the team, as the MoonDogs fall into 7th place in the North, with a 5-7 mark.
Tuesday’s Schedule
Alexandria @ Waterloo 12:05 PM
Kenosha @ Wisconsin 6:35 PM
Green Bay @ Duluth 6:35 PM
Kalamazoo @ Lakeshore 6:35 PM
Mankato @ Eau Claire 6:35 PM
Rochester @ Thunder Bay 7:05 PM
Willmar @ St. Cloud 7:05 PM
Madison @ Wisconsin Rapids 7:05 PM
La Crosse @ Battle Creek 7:05 PM