Tuesday night's action saw a multitude of great pitching performances, highlighted by some late-game drama. Eau Claire walked off against Mankato, while Rochester scored a run in the 10th to steal a game in Thunder Bay. Both first half champions in Kenosha and Willmar were shut out tonight as both teams succumbed to terrific outings off the mound from their opponents.
Waterloo 5, Alexandria 0
In an early afternoon showdown, the Bucks took the series finale against the Blue Anchors, shutting out Alexandria en route to their eighth victory in the second half. Frank Rubio (Florida) was sensational off the mound, going 7 1/3 innings, scattering seven hits and striking out two as he won his first game of the season. Waterloo’s center fielder Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) powered the offense with a double, two RBIs and two walks, while Zack Soria (Florida International) went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Fresh off being named to the 2015 All-Star Game, Alexandria’s Josh Merrigan added two hits in the loss, as Alexandria has begun to hit a rough patch, losing three consecutive contests.
Kalamazoo 4, Lakeshore 2
A four-run 3rd inning is all the Growlers needed, taking their road series opener in Mequon, breaking out of their slump to improve to 5-11. The Kalamazoo offense was carried by left fielder Nick Yarnall’s (Pittsburgh) grand slam, as well as shortstop Jordan Fletcher (Northern Illinois) picking up three base-hits on the night. Starter Cole Schaefer (Coastal Carolina) took home his second win, tossing 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and seven hits, tying a season-high with four strikeouts. Chinooks’ Jack Benninghoff (Arkansas) broke out of his 0-14 dry spell, carrying the entire offense with two hits and two RBIs, as his team fell back to 7-11 in the South Division.
Wisconsin 6, Kenosha 0
Wisconsin received a stellar pitching performance from their starter Devin Skapura (Texas A&M Corpus Christi) as they took down the South Division-leading Kingfish in the series opener. Skapura was terrific, winning Pitcher of the Night honors, going 8 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits and striking out seven batters, as he received his first win of the season. Catcher Albee Weiss (Cal State Northridge) continued his all-star campaign, crushing his eighth home run of the season, finishing with two RBIs, giving him 27. Kenosha’s leadoff man Zach Weigel (Seton Hall) collected three of his team’s four hits on the night, as the Kingfish still hold a 1 ½ lead over the rest of their division.
Duluth 5, Green Bay 3
The Huskies scored four runs in the 2nd inning, and held Green Bay scoreless for the final three innings to record their fourth consecutive victory. Duluth’s Jean Figueroa (West Florida) sparked the offense with a grand slam, giving him four bombs on the year. Figueroa’s collegiate teammate Josh McLaney received his second win coming out of the bullpen, allowing an earned run and a strikeout through two innings of work. Bullfrogs’ leadoff man Logan Taylor (Louisville) enjoyed a solid night at the plate with three hits and an RBI, improving his average to .351, as Green Bay remains in second place in the South Division.
Eau Claire 5, Mankato 4
After the MoonDogs valiant comeback, tying the game in the 9th at four, the Express walked off in the final frame behind Teddy Cillis’s (Hofstra) RBI single. The Mankato designated hitter only recorded one hit on the night, but it was a game-changer, scoring All-Star Dalton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee) leading to their fifth victory. Right fielder Tyler Adkison (San Diego State) also totaled a four-hit night, while closer Victor Sanchez (New Mexico) blew the save in the top of the inning, but received his second victory as result of the game-winner. Mankato’s Brinn Bell (St. Ambrose) earned Player of the Night honors, carrying his team with a perfect 5-for-5 night, adding his second homer of the year, as Mankato dropped their second-straight game of the year.
Rochester 3, Thunder Bay 2 (10 Innings)
The Honkers scored a run in the top of the 10th inning, stealing a road victory in Thunder Bay, moving into sole possession of second place in the North. Rochester’s leadoff man Matt Fiedler (Minnesota) was tonight’s hero, singling home Will Paschal (Georgia Gwinnet) for the game-winner. Fiedler finished with two hits, two runs, and an RBI. Honkers’ Ricky Delgado (San Joaquin Delta C.C.) registered his first win of the year, throwing three innings of relief, allowing two hits and four strikeouts. Thunder Bay’s leadoff man Jared James went 2-for-5, recording his third home run of the season, finishing with two RBIs and a run, as the Border Cats have lost their last four games.
St. Cloud 1, Willmar 0
The North-leading Rox received a dominant performance from their ace Reese Gregory (St. Cloud State) as they won their second straight victory against the first half champs. Gregory allowed just four hits and two walks, while fanning seven batters, improving his record to 5-2. The St. Cloud offense recorded no RBIs on the night, but Austin Athmann (Minnesota) added two hits, while Brett Pope (Western Carolina) walked three times, and was the only player in the game to score a run. Willmar was led by a terrific pitching performance as well by Garrett Anderson (Florida Gulf Coast) who received the loss despite throwing five innings, allowing one run (none earned) and striking out five.
Wisconsin Rapids 8, Madison 5
Wisconsin Rapids totaled fifteen hits in the series opener, taking their second straight contest, and moving into a three-way tie for third place in the South Division. Rafters’ duo of Ryan Cleveland (Georgia Southern) and Mitchell McGeein (Eastern Michigan) each supplied home runs on the night, combining for five hits and four RBIs. Backed by a plethora of runs, starter Jay Peters (UW-Milwaukee) boosted his record to 2-1, throwing six innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on five hits and striking out six. Madison’s leadoff man Logan Regnier (Central Michigan) added to his stellar campaign, going 3-for-5 with an RBI as the Mallards also moved into the three-way tie amongst third place in the South.
La Crosse 4, Battle Creek 1
The Loggers used a two-run 6th inning to move past the Bombers, taking game one of their road series at C.O. Brown Stadium. La Crosse starter Alex Shake (Illinois Central) was terrific in his starting debut, tossing six innings of work, allowing just a run on four hits, striking out five, picking up his first win of the season. Mason McCoy assisted his Illinois Central teammate, adding three more hits to his outstanding season, giving him a league-leading 83, while knocking in a run, while catcher Luis Trevino (Navarro College) added three hits as well. Battle Creek’s Dan Swain (Siena) went 2-for-5 with a double, as the Bombers moved back into last place in the South Division.
Wednesday’s Schedule
Kalamazoo @ Lakeshore 6:35 PM
Kenosha @ Wisconsin 6:35 PM
Green Bay @ Duluth 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