Continuing to remain the hottest team in the North Division, Duluth moved into a tie with Willmar for second place, defeating Mankato by a slim margin and winning their fourth contest. Green Bay eased their way to victory over Madison, remaining a half-game above La Crosse in the overall record standings. In a battle between both Michigan teams, Battle Creek swept their Thursday doubleheader against Kalamazoo, becoming victorious in their last four games.
Battle Creek 8, Kalamazoo 5 (Game One)
Battle Creek scored six runs in the 7th inning as they took game one of their doubleheader against their in-state rival Growlers, coming back for their tenth victory. Niko Pacheco (Cal State Fullerton) carried his team to victory, going 2-for-4, hitting a pair of home runs and finishing with four RBIs. Starter Min Hsia (Taiwan) earned his first victory in over a week, throwing 7 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on ten hits, striking out two and improving to 3-5 overall. Kalamazoo’s center fielder Corey Dempster (USC) provided a two-run home run in the 8th inning, as the Growlers continue to fall, flirting with making Northwoods League history for the worst record in league history, owning a 14-48 mark for the year.
Battle Creek 11, Kalamazoo 7 (Game Two)
After taking the part one of their Thursday doubleheader, the Bombers jumped out to an 8-3 lead and cruised to the doubleheader sweep. Dre Gleason (Austin Peay) was instrumental in his team’s nightcap victory, going 2-for-6, driving in three RBIs, while Lin Li (Taiwan) and Christian Helsel (Penn State) each provided two RBIs on the night. Reliever Chet Joslyn (Valparaiso) collected his first victory, throwing 2 1/3 innings, giving up four runs as he was supported by a healthy amount of runs from their offense. The Growlers left nine men on base in the defeat, but 3rd baseman Justin Fletcher (Northern Illinois) extended his hit streak to seven games, going 1-for-5 with three RBIs.
Duluth 4, Mankato 2
A pair of runs scored in the 4th inning was the difference of the ballgame between Duluth and Mankato, as the Huskies went on to take the series opener by a slim margin. Colton Waltner (San Diego) provided a spark out of the three hole, going 3-for-5 and scoring twice, and Elliott Barzilli (TCU) added two hits and an RBI, as he is currently riding an eight game hit streak. Duluth’s Eric Morell (LaGrange College) collected his fourth win of the year, tossing seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out three as he has become victorious in his last three starts. Mankato’s Christoph Bono (UCLA) supplied the only form of offense for his team, hitting a two-run home run, his first of the season as the MoonDogs have now dropped their third consecutive game.
Thunder Bay 6, Alexandria 5
The Border Cats scored a critical run in the top of the 9th, devastating the hosting Blue Anchors and improving to 11-17. Matt Batten (Quinnipiac) led the comeback charge, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and a walk. Typically the starting 1st baseman, Mikael Mogues (Seton Hall) entered in the 8th with two outs, and set down the final four batters, striking out two and earning his first victory of the season. Alexandria’s left fielder Kyle Richardson (Notre Dame) was fantastic in the loss, going 3-for-4, hitting his third home run and knocking in three RBIs, as the Blue Anchors have continued to slide down the North standings, losing their fifth straight.
La Crosse 2, Willmar 1
Highlighted by strong pitching performances from both sides, the Loggers prevailed in their interleague series opener, remaining 3 ½ games behind Kenosha for the second half title. Kevin Flemer (Oregon State) threw the first 6 2/3 innings, giving up a run on three hits and striking out a pair of batters, however it was reliever Neil Lang (Grossmont) who picked up the win in his team debut. All-Star Jordan Zimmerman (Mesa C.C.) provided all the offense for his team seventeenth victory, hitting the game changing two-run homer in the 8th inning, which proved to be the difference. Willmar’s starter Brian Kehner (Presbyterian) picked up a tough loss despite throwing an eight inning gem, allowing the pair of runs, giving up five hits and punching out a half-dozen batters.
Kenosha 8, Wisconsin 4
In a shocking 9th inning rally, the South-leading Kingfish scored five runs in the top of the inning, stealing a road victory against the Woodchucks, holding a 3 ½ game lead over the rest of the division. All-Star Game MVP Eric Filia (UCLA) was the star tonight, going 4-for-5, hitting his fifth home run, driving in three RBIs, giving him an outstanding twenty over his last eight games. Kingfish reliever J.D. Nielsen (Illinois) threw a scoreless final frame, completely the terrific come-from-behind victory. Woodchucks’ catcher Tanner Gragg (Kansas) hit his first home run of the year, hitting a two-run shot in the 3rd, while Wisconsin has fallen into a severe slump, losing their last seven games.
Lakeshore 5, Wisconsin Rapids 2
The Chinooks jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they never trailed in their road series against the Rafters, moving into 6th place in the South Division. Jack Benninghoff (Arkansas) was the offensive star of the night, hitting his first bomb of the season, knocking in three RBIs, as he has recorded a hit in each of his last five games. Reliever Jake Tuttle (UW-Milwaukee) tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and punching out five batters, improving to 3-1. Wisconsin Rapids duo of Bryce Jordan (LSU) and Scotty Wright (North Florida) each hit solo home runs, as the Rafters have lost three straight, sitting at 11-15.
St. Cloud 10, Waterloo 7
St. Cloud received a stellar pitching performance from Reese Gregory (St. Cloud State), and held off a late Willmar rally, as they continue to build upon their North lead, sitting 3 ½ games amongst their competitors. Gregory was lights out, moving to 6-3 as he chucked 6 2/3 innings, giving up a run (none earned), seven hits and struck out an impressive ten batters. Lee Miller (Davidson) extended his hit streak to seven games, as he got on base in all five of his at-bats, totaling two hits and three hits, while scoring two times. Catcher Zach Fricke (Iowa) shined in a substitute roll in just his second game with the team, going 1-for-2 with a three-run home run, his first as a Buck, while Waterloo has now faltered in their last six ballgames.
Rochester 10, Eau Claire 4
A six-run 3rd inning proved to be more than enough for Rochester, taking game one from the visiting Express, winning their third game. The Honkers were paced offensively by Player of the Night Ryan Webberley, (Cal Poly Pomona) who was spectacular, going 3-for-5 with two home runs, four RBIs, and scored twice, while Ryan Summers (Louisville) supplied three hits and three RBIs. Jordan Gross (Tulane) advanced to 3-2, throwing a quality start which involved giving up three runs over six innings, striking out three. After taking home Player of the Night yesterday, Eau Claire’s Austin Listi (Dallas Baptist) continued his hot streak, hitting his third home run, and registering a pair of RBIs.
Green Bay 10, Madison 2
The Bullfrogs totaled an impressive eighteen hits on the night, as they won a critical series opening game at home over Madison, moving a half game above La Crosse for the second place overall record. Seven different Green Bay batters recorded multi-hit games, but were led by Robb Paller’s (Columbia) four hits and three RBIs, while Desi Ammons (Belmont) went a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI. Starter Alex Martinez (De Anza College) needed only five innings of work to bounce back and collect his first win in over a month span, giving up a run on five hits and struck out two batters. Madison’s star outfielder Logan Regnier (Central Michigan) contributed three hits on the night, bringing his average to one of the best in the league at .332, while the Mallards now sit 4 ½ games back of the Kingfish.
Friday’s Schedule
Kalamazoo @ Battle Creek 11:05 AM/7:05 PM
Mankato @ Duluth 6:35 PM
Thunder Bay @ Alexandria 7:05 PM
La Crosse @ Willmar 7:05 PM
Kenosha @ Wisconsin 7:05 PM
Lakeshore @ Wisconsin Rapids 7:05 PM
Rochester @ Eau Claire 7:05 PM
Madison @ Green Bay 7:05 PM
Waterloo @ St. Cloud 7:05 PM