Thursday night's action saw several North Division contests postponed due to heavy rainfall and severe weather. In the South Division, Kenosha triumphed in a wild extra inning affair against Kalamazoo, while Madison routed Battle Creek, being one of the hottest teams upon entering the postseason. Waterloo snapped their league-record eleven game losing streak, defeating Rochester on the road by a narrow margin.
Madison 13, Battle Creek 5
Madison exploded with ten runs in the 1st inning and never looked back, taking their home series opener against Battle Creek, and winning their sixth straight game. Star catcher Jean Ramirez (Illinois State) added another stellar night to his terrific 2015 season, taking home Player of the Night going 2-for-5, hitting his seventh home run and driving in five RBIs. Saving their pitchers’ arms for the postseason, the Mallards used a plethora of pitchers in the win, while reliever Jesse Kay (California) earned his first win, tossing 2 1/3 innings giving up a run and striking out three batters. Battle Creek’s leadoff man Brennon Lund (BYU) provided an offensive spark in the loss, totaling three hits, two RBIs, and scored once as the Bombers dropped to 13-21.
Lakeshore 8, Wisconsin 4
The Chinooks used a consistent offensive attack to take down the Woodchucks at Athletic Park, winning back-to-back contests and improving to 17-20 in the South. A trio of Lakeshore batters used the long ball in carrying their team to victory as Doug Kraeger (Richmond), Greg Deichmann (LSU), and Jack Benninghoff (Arkansas) all recorded home runs, and drove in four runs. Kevin Long (Lehigh) entered in the 4th inning, and went the rest of the way, throwing six scoreless innings of relief, giving up just one hit and striking out seven batters, winning his second game and taking home Pitcher of the Night. Wisconsin’s All-Star catcher Albee Weiss (Cal State Northridge) went 2-for-5, registering his league-leading 15th home run in the loss, as the Chucks continue their struggles to end the year, losing eight of their last ten games.
Wisconsin Rapids 2, Thunder Bay 1
In an interleague pitching duel, the Rafters triumphed over Thunder Bay in front of a record-breaking crowd, Wisconsin Rapids starter Jay Peters (UW-Milwaukee) collected his fourth victory, throwing six shut out innings, allowing seven hits and striking out an impressive nine batters. Beau Jordan (LSU) led his team offensively with two hits and an RBI, while outfielder Sam Tolleson (Central Florida) went 2-for-3 with a walk. The Border Cats were kept in the game by starter Zach Thiac (Nicholls State), who provided a strong outing with 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on eight hits and struck out a batter, but fell victim to no run support and fell to 1-7 on the season.
Waterloo 5, Rochester 4
Waterloo jumped out to an early lead, and held off a late Rochester rally to finally snap their ugly eleven game losing streak, shocking the Honkers at home in the series opener. Chris Kelly (Des Moines Area C.C.) powered his team to victory, hitting his first home run and driving in two RBIs and finishing with two hits, while Daniel Perry (Iowa) got on base in all four plate appearances, scoring twice and knocking in an RBI. Starter Zach Siggelkow (St. Cloud State) picked up his first win of the year, giving five innings of work, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out a pair of batters. Rochester was led offensively by home runs as Matt Fiedler (Minnesota), Joe DeRoche-Duffin (UConn), and Adam Walton (Illinois) all contributed home runs in the loss, while the Honkers are still playoff bound with a 38-31 overall record.
Green Bay 7, La Crosse 4
In a battle between two South Division playoff teams, the Bullfrogs took game one of their home series against La Crosse, and extending their win streak to four games. Green Bay was led offensively by their first two batters in Logan Taylor (Louisville) and Robb Paller (Columbia), who combined for four hits and five RBIs. Starter Luke Lind (North Dakota State) became victorious in his last three appearances, throwing seven strong innings, giving up a pair of runs, while tying a season-high with seven strikeouts. La Crosse’s center fielder Alex Merritt (North Florida) carried his team in the loss, smashing his second home run and scoring twice, while the Loggers fell to 19-15 in the second half.
Kenosha 5, Kalamazoo 3 (11 Innings)
Kenosha scored three runs in the 8th inning to force extra innings, and completed the come-from-behind victory, as Alex Borglin (Central Michigan) hit a two-run walk off home run to defeat the Growlers. In addition to the game-winner Borglin shined tonight, finishing the night with a pair of hits and runs, while Jeremy Vasquez (Florida) went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and two walks. Reliever J.D. Nielsen (Illinois) tossed three scoreless innings, giving up a pair of hits, striking out two and being rewarded with his fourth win due to the walk off game-winner. Kalamazoo dropped their league record 53rd game of the season, but were led by right fielder John Soteropulos (California) went 3-for-5 with an RBI in the loss.
Willmar vs. Duluth (Postponed)
Tonight’s matchup between Willmar and Duluth has been postponed due to inclement weather. The makeup date has been scheduled for tomorrow, with game one starting at 6:05 and being resumed in the top of the 6th, with the game tied 1-1. The second game will start 30 minutes after game one is completed and will be nine innings.
Eau Claire vs. Alexandria (Postponed)
Tonight’s matchup between Eau Claire and Alexandria has been postponed due to inclement weather. The makeup date has been scheduled for tomorrow, with a seven-inning doubleheader and the first game beginning at 5:05 PM.
Mankato vs. St. Cloud (Postponed)
Tonight’s matchup between St. Cloud and Mankato has been postponed due to inclement weather. The makeup date has been scheduled for tomorrow, with a seven-inning doubleheader and the first game beginning at 6:05 PM.
Friday’s Schedule
Eau Claire @ Alexandria 5:05/7:05 PM (Doubleheader)
Mankato @ St. Cloud 6:05/8:05 PM (Doubleheader)
Duluth @ Willmar 7:05 PM
Thunder Bay @ Wisconsin Rapids 7:05 PM
La Crosse @ Green Bay 7:05 PM
Battle Creek @ Madison 7:05 PM
Kalamazoo @ Kenosha 7:05 PM
Rochester @ Waterloo 7:05 PM
Lakeshore @ Wisconsin 7:05 PM
