As the divisional championships took place Tuesday, both winners were provided with critical offensive performances, as Kenosha used a game-winning single from 3rd baseman John Brodner in the 9th inning to send them into the 2015 Summer Colegiate World Series. The Rox used a massive five-run 6th inning, as they coasted to their North Division title by a wide margin. Now that the championship matchup is set between both number one seeds, both St. Cloud and Kenosha were statistically the two best teams in the Northwoods League all season long. In the four games played between both teams in the regular season, the Rox took three of four games against the Kingfish, outscoring Kenosha 27-14 throughout the four contests.
St. Cloud 10, Duluth 3 (North Division Championship)
After Duluth went up 3-2 after the 3rd inning, the Rox scored eight unanswered runs, as they ended up cruising to the North Division title, placing them against Kenosha for the 2015 Summer Collegiate World Series. St. Cloud’s 3rd baseman John Sansone (Florida State) led his team offensively to the victory, having a tremendous night at the dish, going 4-for-5, hitting a home run and driving in three RBIs, while scoring four times. Rox leadoff man Marcus Carson (Kentucky) and Liam Bedford (Doane) also contributed a pair of hits and RBIs in the winning effort. Entering out of the bullpen in the 3rd inning, Erik Martinez (California) tossed five scoreless innings of relief, giving up a pair of hits and struck out four, while collecting the victory in the division finals. Duluth’s leadoff man Danny Lee (Manatee) and Elliott Barzilli (TCU) each recorded two hits and an RBI in the finals defeat, as the Huskies season comes to a end.
Kenosha 2, Madison 1 (South Division Championship)
In the South Division final, the Kingfish battled back to tie the game at 1 in the 8th inning, while following up in the final frame with a walk-off game-winner to send them to the Northwoods League World Series. Newly acquired Kingfish 3rd baseman John Brodner (Wright State) was the late-inning hero tonight, as his RBI single scored pinch-runner Parker Sniatynski (St. Louis) and shocked the Mallards. Brodner finished the night with a pair of hits and the walk-off RBI, while All-Star Eric Filia (UCLA) added two hits, and Jeremy Vasquez (Florida) tied the game in the 8th with an RBI single. Kenosha’s elite reliever Ryan Orr (Kalamazoo College) tossed three shut out innings of relief, and was rewarded with the win, allowing just one hit and striking out a pair of batters. Offensively, Madison was led by All-Stars Anthony Gonsolin (St. Mary’s) and Jean Ramirez (Illinois State) who totaled two hits in the loss, while Cameron Frost (Washington State) supplied his team’s only form of offense with a sac-fly in the 4th inning. Mallards’ starter Sterling Sharp (Drury) provided a terrific outing, throwing six scoreless innings, giving up three hits and struck out four as Madison has now been eliminated from the 2015 playoffs.
Thursday’s Schedule
St. Cloud @ Kenosha 7:05 PM (Game One)
Friday’s Schedule
Kenosha @ St. Cloud 7:05 PM (Game Two)
Saturday’s Schedule
Kenosha @ St. Cloud 6:05 PM (Game Three, if necessary)
