Mother Nature played her part amongst Thursday's games, suspending three games until tomorrow, resulting in doubleheaders. St. Cloud and Green Bay split their day/night doubleheader, while La Crosse remains the hottest team in the South Division, winning in Kalamazoo. Duluth came back from an early deficit in Mankato, as the hold the longest current winning streak in the league at six.
St. Cloud 3, Green Bay 2 (Game One, 14 Innings)
After the Bullfrogs battled back to tie the game at two in the bottom of the 9th inning, forcing extras, the Rox responded in the 14th with an unexpected RBI double by their closer Trevor Charpie. Typically known as one of the most reliable closers in the Northwoods League, Charpie (Saddleback C.C.) entered out of the bullpen in the 13th to hold the Bullfrogs lineup in check, but was used as a pinch-hitter in the 14th and came through with the clutch hit of the ballgame in a very unscripted manner. Rounding out his stellar game one performance, Sharpie also closed out the game, throwing the final two innings, sitting down all six batters he faced, earning his third win of the season. Green Bay’s 3rd baseman Billy Mullins (West Valley C.C.) provided all the offense for his team, knocking in both runs as the Bullfrogs dropped their third-straight game.
Green Bay 1, St. Cloud 0 (Game Two, 9 Innings)
Rebounding from their game one defeat, the Bullfrogs scored the lone-run of the game in the top of the 1st inning, splitting the interleague doubleheader between St. Cloud. Starter Sam Brunner (Dayton) showed why he is headed to Wisconsin Rapids for the All-Star Game, tossing seven shutout innings, giving up just two hits and tied a season-high mark of eight strikeouts, boosting his record to 4-2. Green Bay’s 3rd baseman Danny Rosenbaum (Louisville) supplied the game’s only offense, going 1-for-3 with his 22nd RBI, while the Bullfrogs moved into 4th place in their division. The Rox received a solid start from Zach Pop (Kentucky), who provided 5 1/3 innings of work, allowing one run (none earned) on six hits, striking out four as he fell to 3-2 on his campaign.
La Crosse 3, Kalamazoo 1
The Loggers moved into a half-game behind Kenosha in the South Division as they shut down the Kalamazoo lineup throughout, improving to 11-7. La Crosse’s starter Kevin Flemer (Oregon State) controlled the game, throwing seven strong innings, surrendering just one run on four hits, striking out three as he improved to 3-0, while All-Star closer Ty Provencher (Long Beach State) closed the door in the 9th en route to his eleventh save of the season. Chris Baker (Washington) paced the offense with a two-run bomb in the 4th inning, giving him four on the year. Kalamazoo’s shortstop Justin Fletcher (Northern Illinois) went 1-for-2 with a double and a sac-fly as the Growlers moved back to 5-13 in the second half.
Duluth 11, Mankato 7
After falling down 7-2 after four innings of play, the Huskies rallied back with nine unanswered runs to take game one of their road series in Mankato. Last night’s hero Justin Paulsen (Missouri State) had a fantastic night at the plate, earning Player of the Night honors going 3-for-4 with a home run, five RBIs, and scored three times. Duluth’s reliever Josh McLaney (West Florida) needed just 2/3 innings of work to record his third win of the season, picking up consecutive wins in back-to-back outings. Mankato fell to 5-10 in the second half, however it was not because of All-Star Paul Panaccione (Grand Canyon) as the shortstop went a perfect 4-4 on the night, registering his fourth home run and knocking in three RBIs.
Waterloo 3, Thunder Bay 2
In a late-inning duel, the Bucks scored runs in the 8th and 9th inning as they stole a victory from Thunder Bay, picking up their third-consecutive victory. Bucks’ leadoff man Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) registered the go-ahead hit with an RBI single in the 9th inning, while designated hitter Matthew James (Illinois) provided a spark with a pair of hits and RBIs. Reliever Nathan Spielvogel (Marrimack College) was stellar out of the bullpen, throwing three scoreless innings of relief, allowing just a pair of hits, while finally picking up his first win of the season. Border Cats’ 3rd baseman Carter McEachern (Trinity) displayed his All-Star status with a two-RBI single in the 6th inning, as Thunder Bay has now lost their twelfth one-run ballgame of 2015.
Willmar 8, Rochester 4
The Stingers scored the final seven unanswered runs of the ballgame, taking the series opener in Rochester, moving into a three-way tie for second place in the North. Willmar’s catcher Troy Dixon (St. John’s) went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs, while Brian Pruett (Florida Gulf Coast) added three hits and a walk. Reliever Colton Boucher (Northern State) tossed a scoreless 1 2/3 innings, sitting down all five batters he faced as he moved to 3-1, becoming victorious in his last two appearances. Honkers’ catcher Sam Hall (Dixie State) knocked in two RBIs, as Rochester fell a half-game behind second place with a 9-7 record.
Wisconsin 7, Battle Creek 2
Wisconsin jumped out to a 5-1 lead after three innings as they cruised to their third-straight victory, taking the series opener against Battle Creek. Catcher Mason Fishback (New Mexico State) powered the offense with a grand slam in the 3rd inning, giving him two home runs in his last three games. Chucks’ starter Jared Skolnicki (Kent State) collected his fourth victory of the season, throwing six innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out a half-dozen batters. Bombers’ catcher Niko Pacheco (Cal Sate Fullerton) powered the Battle Creek offense with a solo home run, his second of the season as the Bombers have lost their last three contests and remain in last place in the South Division.
Lakeshore vs. Madison (Postponed)
Tonight’s series opener between the Lakeshore Chinooks and the Madison Mallards was postponed due to severe weather. The makeup date has been scheduled for both teams to play a doubleheader tomorrow, July 17th, with the first game beginning at 5:05 PM.
Kenosha vs. Wisconsin Rapids (Postponed)
Tonight’s series opener between the Kenosha Kingfish and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters was postponed due to severe weather. The makeup date has been scheduled for both teams to play a doubleheader tomorrow, July 17th, with the first game beginning at 4:30 PM.
Alexandria vs. Eau Claire (Postponed)
Tonight’s series opener between the Alexandria Blue Anchors and the Eau Claire Express was postponed due to severe weather. The makeup date has been scheduled for both teams to play a doubleheader tomorrow, July 17th, with the first game beginning at 5:05 PM.
Friday’s Schedule
Alexandria @ Eau Claire 5:05/7:05 PM (Doubleheader)
Waterloo @ Thunder Bay 7:05 PM
Willmar @ Rochester 7:05 PM
Lakeshore @ Madison 7:05 PM
Wisconsin @ Battle Creek 7:05 PM
Wisconsin Rapids @ Kenosha 7:05 PM
La Crosse @ Kalamazoo 7:05 PM
Duluth @ Mankato 7:05 PM
Green Bay @ St. Cloud 7:05 PM