Tonight's ballgames were filled with high-run activity as several teams were putting up large amounts of runs. Battle Creek swept their in-state rival Kalamazoo Growlers in the Friday night doubleheader, while Madison scored a season-high amount of runs, plating 19 against Green Bay for the series split. Duluth pushed their winning streak to five games, shutting out Mankato and taking both games of the series.
Battle Creek 14, Kalamazoo 12 (Game One)
The Bombers continued their dominance over their in-state opponent, scoring six runs in the 8th inning to comeback and defeat the Growlers in a barnburner. Niko Pacheco (Cal State Fullerton) had another spectacular night at the plate against Kalamazoo, providing two hits, four RBIs, and hit his fifth home run of the season, giving him six hits, three home runs, and eight RBIs in his last three games against the Growlers. Kaleb McCurry (Mars Hill) entered out of the bullpen in the 6th inning and held the Kalamazoo lineup in check, throwing three innings, giving up a run on three hits, striking out two, improving to 2-1. The Growlers totaled their league-leading 24th loss in the second half, but were led offensively by a duo of John Ruiz (Miami Florida) and Corey Dempster (USC) who combined for six RBIs, five hits, and three runs.
Battle Creek 12, Kalamazoo 2 (Game Two)
Battle Creek completed the two-day doubleheader sweep over Kalamazoo, as they scored five runs in the 6th inning, while extending their win streak to six games. The Bombers’ offense was spectacular again, totaling sixteen hits, highlighted by Brennon Lund (BYU) going a perfect 4-for-4, hitting a pair of doubles, while driving in three RBIs and scoring three times. Making his starting debut, Dalton Greenwalt (Urbana) threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits, and picked up his first victory. Kalamazoo’s Jordan Stading (Houston) extended his modest hitting streak to four games, going 2-for-3 with a walk, as the Growlers have no fallen to 6-25, losing their sixth consecutive ballgame.
Duluth 5, Mankato 0
Continuing to be the hottest team in the North Division, the Huskies won their fifth straight game, led by an outstanding pitching performance by their starter Mitchell Bauer (Minnesota State Mankato). The sophomore right-hander was lights out Friday night, tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and struck out four, as he has now registered a win in each of his last four starting appearances. Both T.J. Martin (Kansas) and Danny Lee (Manatee) sparked their team’s offense, each going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mankato’s Sulliam Rios-Reyes (Kirkwood C.C.) was the only MoonDog batter to record a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 on the night, as his team dropped their fifth straight, sitting in 7th place in the North at 12-16.
St. Cloud 5, Waterloo 0
St. Cloud’s pitching staff continues to prove themselves as the most dominating rotation in the Northwoods League, as they shutout the Bucks and swept the two-game series. Zach Pop (Kentucky) was terrific off the mound, blanking the Waterloo lineup through six innings and striking out five, as he advanced his record to 5-2 on the year. Joe Sansone (Florida State) paced the Rox offense, providing three hits and a pair of RBIs, falling just a home run away from the cycle, as St. Cloud continues to own the best record in the second half at 22-7. Bucks’ 2nd baseman Taylor Boyd (St. Joseph’s) went 2-for-3 with a double, as Waterloo has now fallen into 8th place in their division, losing their last seven games.
Lakeshore 13, Wisconsin Rapids 8
The Chinooks jumped out to a 10-3 lead after four innings, and cruised to their 13th victory of the second half, as they swept the Rafters on the road. Lakeshore was led by stellar nights at the dish by Greg Deichmann (LSU) who went 2-for-4 with a pair of bombs, knocking in three RBIs and scoring three times, while Lucas Raley (Lake Erie) continues to add to his MVP caliber season, getting on base in all five plate appearances, providing three hits, five RBIs, two walks, and hitting his league-leading 14th home run of the season. Zac Lowther (Xavier) earned his third win of the year, giving five innings of work, allowing four runs (two earned), five hits and struck out four. Rafters star 3rd baseman Brock Carpenter (Seattle) provided a strong effort in the loss, going 2-for-5 with four RBIs, as Wisconsin Rapids have continued to slide, losing their third straight games.
Alexandria 8, Thunder Bay 3
Alexandria moved back into the win column, as they pulled away from the visiting Border Cats, as they earned the series split over their North Division foe. The Blue Anchors were led once again by 3rd baseman Trooper Reynolds (Dallas Baptist), who has been a force amongst the league ever since joining the team, recording a hit in all thirteen games played, going 4-for-5 with two home runs and drove in four RBIs. Alexandria used a platoon of seven pitchers tonight, however it was Jake Matthys (Southwest Minnesota State) who collected the win, throwing a 5th inning, and moving to 2-5. Thunder Bay’s leadoff man Jared James (Long Beach State) increased his hit streak to six games, hitting a solo home run, his fifth, and totaling three hits and scored twice, as the Border Cats own an 11-18 record.
Kenosha 17, Wisconsin 5
Pulling away with scoring twelve runs after the 6th inning, the Kingfish moved into a four game lead amongst the South Division, blowing out the Woodchucks and taking the series. Eric Filia (UCLA) once again was the star of the night, going 2-for-5, driving in four RBIs, giving him 24 in his last nine games, while John Brodner (Wright State) added a pair of hits and runs, while picking up three RBIs. Brodner’s collegiate teammate E.J. Trapino collected his third win, going five innings, allowing one earned run, three hits and struck out five batters. Woodchucks’ catcher Mason Fishback (Riverside City College) carried his offense in the loss, registering two hits and a pair of RBIs, as Wisconsin has really began to hit a rough patch towards the end of the second half, losing a season-high eight consecutive games.
Rochester 9, Eau Claire 4
The Honkers jumped out to a 6-1 lead after three innings, holding off the Express and staying afloat for a playoff spot, taking the series sweep. Rochester’s Joe DeRoche-Duffin (UConn) hit his North-leading 11th home run of the season, while 3rd baseman Miles Mastrobuoni (San Mateo) got on-base in all five at-bats, going 3-for-3 with a pair of walks and a pair of RBIs. Spencer Greer (Dixie State) received his fifth victory as a reliever, hurling 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, allowing a pair of hits and struck out three. Eau Claire’s Travon Benton (New Mexico J.C.) enjoyed another multi-hit night, hitting a home run in his second straight game, going 2-for-4 with his fourth bomb, driving in a pair of runs.
Madison 19, Green Bay 3
Madison marked a season-high amount of runs, scoring ten in the final inning, as they defeated Green Bay on the road for the series split. Eight of the nine Madison starters collected a base hit, highlighted by Anthony Gonsolin’s (St. Mary’s) four hit, six RBI night, as the star outfielder has recorded a hit in his last five contests, while leadoff man Logan Regnier (Central Michigan) continues to rake a top the Madison lineup, providing four hits and two RBIs. Reliever Justin Watts (Northern Kentucky) improved his record to 3-2 on the year, giving 3 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen; surrendering just one hit and struck out three. Green Bay’s Brian Celsi (California) recorded his first long ball of the season, a two-run shot in the 1st inning as the Bullfrogs have now fallen into an overall record tie with Madison for second place in the South.
Willmar 9, La Crosse 7
In a back-and-forth interleague affair, the Stingers held off a late La Crosse push, taking the series split, moving into a second place tie with Duluth in the second half. Stingers’ catcher Troy Dixon (St. John’s) carried the offense again, picking up four base hits and an RBI, while 2nd baseman Brian Pruett (Florida Gulf Coast) smashed his fifth home run, finishing with two RBIs. Nikolay Uherek (Georgia Gwinnett) entered out of the bullpen in the 5th inning, providing two innings of scoreless work, giving up just one hit and struck out a pair of batters. La Crosse was led offensively by All-Star Jordan Zimmerman (Mesa C.C.) and Ronnie Gideon (Texas A&M) who both recorded home runs in the loss, as the Loggers have now fallen a half game behind Madison and Green Bay in the overall record standings.
Saturday’s Schedule
Waterloo @ Alexandria 5:05 PM
Kenosha @ Mankato 6:05 PM
Wisconsin @ Madison 6:05 PM
Lakeshore @ La Crosse 6:05 PM
Thunder Bay @ Eau Claire 6:35 PM
Duluth @ Rochester 7:05 PM
St. Cloud @ Willmar 7:05 PM
Wisconsin Rapids @ Battle Creek 7:05 PM
Green Bay @ Kalamazoo 7:05 PM
