As rain resulted in Friday hosting three doubleheaders, the Mallards, Kingfish, and Blue Anchors took both games of the twin bill, as Madison and Alexandria look to make their push for a playoff spot. The Loggers remain one of the hottest teams in the league, shutting out the Growlers and winning their fifth consecutive game. Mankato used a big 7th inning to snap Duluth's six game win streak and split the series.
Kenosha 5, Wisconsin Rapids 2 (Game One, 7 Innings)
Kenosha scored all of their runs in the 5th inning as they rebounded to take game one of their Friday doubleheader against Wisconsin Rapids. Brody Westmoreland (San Diego State) powered the offense with a two-RBI double, while Eric Filia (UCLA) went 1-for-3 with an RBI for the Kingfish. Retaining his perfect season record was Ryne Blanton (Madison College), who tossed five innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, as he improved to 3-0. Rafters’ 1st baseman Ryan Cleveland (Georgia Southern) went 2-for-3, hitting his fourth home run of the year, as Wisconsin Rapids fell to .500 at 7-7.
Kenosha 4, Wisconsin Rapids 2 (Game Two, 7 Innings)
After taking game one of their home doubleheader, the Kingfish scored three runs in the 2nd inning and held off the Rafters to sweep their twin bill, advancing to 12-5 in the South. Starter P.J. Schuster Jr. (SIU-Edwardsville) picked up his fourth victory, giving a strong effort off the mound with six innings of work, allowing two runs (one earned), five hits, and struck out a trio of batters. Brody Westmoreland (San Diego State) stayed hot in the nightcap, hitting his third bomb of the season, finishing with three RBIs. Wisconsin Rapids was paced offensively by their All-Star 3rd baseman Brock Carpenter (Seattle), who went 2-for-3, knocking in two RBIs, as the Rafters lost their third straight.
Madison 6, Lakeshore 5 (Game One, 9 Innings)
After falling into a 3-0 hole, the Mallards battled back to take game one of their doubleheader against Lakeshore, moving into just two games behind Kenosha in the South Division. Madison’s Jonathan Quintana (Barry University) and Jean Ramirez (Illinois State) both recorded home runs, while combining for four hits, four runs, and five RBIs. Reliever Brad Boegel (Murray State) entered in the 4th inning and tossed three innings of work, allowing a run (none earned), giving up three hits and struck out five, taking his first win of the season. Chinooks’ Doug Kraeger (Richmond) went 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored once as Lakeshore dropped into seventh place in the South at 7-12.
Madison 6, Lakeshore 2 (Game Two, 7 Innings)
In a seven-inning nightcap, the Mallards swept the doubleheader, moving into third place in the South with a 11-7 mark. Anthony Gonsolin (St. Mary’s) continued his All-Star campaign, knocking in three RBIs, while Scott Tyler (Ball State) hit a two-run shot, giving him three on the year. Madison’s Justin Watts (Northern Kentucky) enjoyed a nice debut with the Mallards, throwing two innings of relief, striking out four and being rewarded with the win. Lakeshore fell to 7-13, but Doug Kraeger finished off his solid day, adding another hit and RBI, giving him five RBIs in his last three games.
Alexandria 1, Eau Claire 0 (Game One, 7 Innings)
The Blue Anchors scored a run at the top of the 7th inning, as they broke out of their slump and winning game one of their road doubleheader. Alexandria’s shortstop Dane Hutcheon (Montevallo) added two hits, while Nehwon Norkeh (Angelo State) scored the game’s only run of game one. Starter Thomas Watson (Santa Fe College) started the game, throwing five scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out four, but factored in a no-decision. Reliever Eric White (Dallas Baptist) went the rest of the way with two flawless innings, collecting his second win of the year. Eau Claire received a strong start from Anthony Herron Jr. (Jefferson College), going 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits, striking out seven, but was handed the loss as his offense did not supply him with any run support.
Alexandria 5, Eau Claire 0 (Game Two, 7 Innings)
Alexandria’s pitching staff shutout the Eau Claire lineup the entire day, as they improved to 9-7 and placed themselves into a tie for 4th place in the North Division. The Blue Anchors used three different pitchers to combine for the shutout, as George Faue (Iowa Central) entered in the 2nd inning, winning his second ballgame, throwing two innings and allowed just one hit, while Ryan Froom (South Dakota State) registered his first save, throwing the final four innings, allowing just two hits and striking out six. Express’ 1st baseman Travon Benton (New Mexico J.C.) was the only Eau Claire batter to record two-hits in the nightcap, as his team dropped to 6-10 in the second half.
La Crosse 5, Kalamazoo 0
The Loggers pitching staff dominated the Kalamazoo lineup all series, holding the Growlers to just one run in two games, as they swept the series and won their fifth-straight ballgame. Michael Echavia (Chabot College) started the game, throwing 3 2/3 scoreless innings, however he walked five batters and was pulled for reliever Matt Naylor (North Florida) who threw the final 5 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits and struck out a pair of batters, winning his fourth game of the season. Loggers’ duo of Denzl Chapman (San Diego State) and Jordan Zimmerman (Mesa C.C.) each recorded a pair of hits and RBIs on the night, pacing the offense throughout. Growlers’ leadoff man Kory Brown (Bowling Green) enjoyed a nice night at the plate, getting on base four times with a base-hit, two walks, and a hit-by-pitch as Kalamazoo has now just won two of their last ten contests.
Battle Creek 7, Wisconsin 3
Battle Creek bounced out of their funk to split the series against Wisconsin, boosting their record to 5-12. Brennon Lund (BYU) and Dre Gleason (Austin Peay) carried the Bombers’ offense, connecting for five hits, four RBIs. Starter Jordan Knutson (Missouri State) continued his dominance, throwing six innings, giving up just one run on a pair of hits, striking out four, as he improved to 2-2. Chuck’s left fielder Keenan Eaton (Wichita State) was the only batter in the lineup to record a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 and scored once as Wisconsin continues to fall, owning a 6-9 record in the second half.
Willmar 7, Rochester 1
A five-run 5th inning broke the game open in Willmar’s favor, as the first-half champs moved just 1 ½ games behind St. Cloud for the division lead. Eddie Estrada (Minnesota) continues to shine as a graduated high school senior in the Northwoods League, going 3-for-4, while knocking in two RBIs as he carried his team’s offense. Starter Tyler Hanson (Minnesota) registered his fourth victory, allowing just one run on four hits, striking out a half-dozen. Rochester dropped their third-straight contest, however Scott Schreiber (Nebraska) and Cole Krzmarzick (Nevada) each had two hits on the night.
Mankato 6, Duluth 5
Mankato scored six runs in the 7th inning and upset the Huskies for the series split, and move to 6-10 in the second half. MoonDogs’ shortstop Paul Panaccione (Grand Canyon) stayed hot, going 1-for-4 and supplied two RBIs, while catcher Kevin Hall (North Alabama) went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Reliever Kyle Goodbrand (Saddleback C.C.) pitched three scoreless innings, allowing no runs or hits, striking out two and collected his second victory. Duluth’s leadoff man Cal Stevenson (Nevada) improved his batting average to a solid .308 going 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, while the Huskies moved into a tie for 4th place with Alexandria at 9-7.
Waterloo 4, Thunder Bay 2
The Bucks opened out to an early lead and cruised to their tenth victory as they swept their series against Thunder Bay. Starter Zach Sigglekow (St. Cloud State) tossed the first four innings in his team’s debut, allowing just a run on five hits, while Doug Hayes (Illinois) collected the win, going the final five innings and becoming victorious in his last three appearances. Leadoff man Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) set the table a top the lineup going 1-for-3 with an RBI. Thunder Bay’s Mikael Mogues (Seton Hall) broke out of his 0-for-19 slump, recording three hits on the night, as the Border Cats remain in last place amongst the North with a 5-12 record.
Green Bay 5, St. Cloud 4
Green Bay jumped out to an early 5-1 lead after five innings of play, and held off a late St. Cloud push to take the series finale. Bullfrogs’ 3rd baseman Danny Rosenbaum (Louisville) sparked the offense, supplying two hits and a pair of RBIs on the night. Starter Ryan Radue (UConn) stayed perfect on the year, moving to 5-0, throwing six innings, surrendering just two earned runs on three hits, and fanning three batters. Rox shortstop Brett Pope (Western Carolina) went 2-for-5 with two RBI in the losing effort, however St. Cloud still retains a 1 ½ lead amongst the rest of the North.
Saturday’s Schedule
Kenosha @ Green Bay 12:05 PM
Duluth @ Waterloo 5:05 PM
Thunder Bay @ St. Cloud 6:05 PM
Alexandria @ Rochester 6:05/8:05 PM (Doubleheader)
La Crosse @ Wisconsin Rapids 6:05 PM
Lakeshore @ Eau Claire 6:35 PM
Mankato @ Willmar 7:05 PM
Wisconsin @ Kalamazoo 7:05 PM
Madison @ Battle Creek 7:05 PM
