La Crosse had another big day on Wednesday, as the Loggers won both games of a doubleheader against Lakeshore. Kalamazoo came back from a seven-run deficit to beat Wisconsin, and Rochester outlasted Waterloo in 17 innings. The game between Thunder Bay and St. Cloud was postponed to Aug. 4 as part of a doubleheader beginning at 5:05 p.m.
La Crosse 5, Lakeshore 2 – Game 1
The La Crosse Loggers and Lakeshore Chinooks completed their game that was suspended from last night, and La Crosse won Game 1 of the doubleheader 5-2. Both teams scored a run in the fifth inning, and the Loggers scored three in the sixth to take a 4-1 lead with run-scoring singles from Lorenzo Hampton Jr. (California) and Grant Fennell (Nevada), followed by fielder's choice from Mason McCoy (Iowa) to score Hampton. Mitch Stalsberg (Winona State) threw six innings and picked up the victory for La Crosse, as he allowed one run on two hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts.
La Crosse 4, Lakeshore 2 – Game 2
The La Crosse Loggers swept the Lakeshore Chinooks by defeating them 4-2 in the seven-inning Game 2 on Wednesday. La Crosse increased its winning streak to seven games with the victory. The Loggers scored three runs in the bottom of the first to take the early 3-0 lead. Lakeshore scored a run in the second and another in the fourth but never led in the game. Mason McCoy (Iowa) was the only player to record multiple hits, as he went 2-for-4 on the night with a run batted in. Jonathan Teaney (San Diego) earned the win for La Crosse, as he struck out five batters in five innings of work.
Battle Creek 10, Rockford 3
The Battle Creek Bombers scored five runs in the top of the second inning in a 10-3 win over the Rockford Rivets on Wednesday night. Both teams scored a run in the first inning before the Bombers sent all nine batters to the plate to take a 6-1 advantage after two innings, and Battle Creek cruised to the victory. Daniel Jipping (Central Michigan) connected on his league-leading fifth home run of the season with a three-run shot in the seventh. Rockford had its seven-game winning streak snapped in the loss. Tommy Parsons (Adrian College) picked up the win and improved to 2-1 for Battle Creek with two earned runs allowed on three hits and three walks with nine strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings of work.
Mankato 14, Willmar 1
The Mankato MoonDogs pounded out 16 hits and to crush the Willmar Stingers 14-1 on Wednesday. The MoonDogs scored two in the bottom of the first and led the rest of the way. A seven-run seventh put Mankato ahead 14-0 before the Stingers got on the board in the top of the eighth. MoonDogs' starter Jordan Harms (NDSU) threw six scoreless innings on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Jake Shepski (Notre Dame) and Marcus Pingleton (Heartland CC) each homered on the night for Mankato, who improved to 10-5 this season.
Eau Claire 9, Duluth 3
The Eau Claire Express took the lead in the fourth inning with a five-run frame and never looked back in a 9-3 victory over the Duluth Huskies. Aaron Shortridge (California) threw seven innings and allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in the win. Eau Claire catcher Daniel Herrera (New Mexico Junior College) finished with four hits and knocked in a run with two runs scored. The Express recorded 15 hits on the night, and their record stands at 10-6 with a four-game winning streak. Duluth fell to 7-9 after its third consecutive loss.
Kalamazoo 12, Wisconsin 10
The Kalamazoo Growlers completed an incredible come-from-behind win on Wedneday night to defeat the Wisconsin Woodchucks 12-10. Kalamazoo trailed 8-1 after the end of the fourth inning and crept back into the game with a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth. Wisconsin held a 9-5 lead after eight innings, but Kasey Cooper (Arkansas Fort Smith) smashed a grand slam to tie the game in the ninth, and the Growlers added even more runs to take a 12-9 advantage. Wisconsin led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo home run from Ruben Cardenas (Cal State Fullerton) but left the bases loaded to end the game.
Madison 10, Wisconsin Rapids 3
The Madison Mallards put together an impressive offensive night, as they defeated the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 10-3 on Wednesday. Both teams hit well offensively, as Madison recorded 18 hits, and the Rafters recorded 11 on the night. Also, there was room for more runs as the Mallards left 12 runners on base, while Wisconsin Rapids stranded 10. AJ Montoya (Toledo) was named the Northwoods League Position Player of the Night for his performance. He hit 2-for-5 with two home runs and recorded three RBI and scored a pair of runs for Madison, who is now 10-6 on the season.
Kenosha 7, Green Bay 6
The Green Bay Bullfrogs nearly came back from a six-run deficit but were unable to get past the Kenosha Kingfish in a 7-6 loss on Wednesday. Kenosha jumped out to a 6-0 lead with four runs in the first and two in the fourth. Green Bay scored six in the next three innings, but the Kingfish scored one as well to make it a 7-6 game. Kenosha's leadoff batter Matt Hearn (Misson College) had a three hit night with a pair of runs scored. Andrew Reisinger (McHenry CC) picked up the victory for the Kingfish. Both teams now stand at 6-10 on the season.
Rochester 7, Waterloo 6
The Rochester Honkers came out on top of Wednesday night's marathon game that went 17 innings – the longest game of the 2016 season so far. Waterloo scored six runs in the top of the first but went scoreless over the final 16 innings of play. Rochester chipped away with two runs in the first and second, followed by a run in the third and fifth to tie the game at 6. With runners at the corners in the bottom of the 17th inning and two outs, Waterloo pitcher Andrew Muehlberger (Central Missouri) was called for a balk, as Mark Contreras (UC Riverside) scored from third for the winning run.
Thursday's Schedule
Kenosha @ Wisconsin (6:35 PM)
Green Bay @ Eau Claire (6:35 PM)
Rockford @ Lakeshore (6:35 PM)
Thunder Bay @ Willmar (7:05 PM)
Kalamazoo @ Wisconsin Rapids (7:05 PM)
Duluth @ Rochester (7:05 PM)
Battle Creek @ Madison (7:05 PM)
Waterloo @ La Crosse (7:05 PM)
St. Cloud @ Mankato (7:05 PM)
