Monday's Northwoods League schedule was a little different than usual. Just six teams played and all were doubleheaders. Kalamazoo against Battle Creek and Kenosha against Lakeshore were home-and-home doubleheaders in which they played at the other team's home site as well as their own for nine inning games. Willmar and Mankato played a pair of seven-inning games in Willmar.

Kalamazoo 5, Battle Creek 3 – Game 1

The Battle Creek Bombers rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough to beat the Kalamazoo Growlers, who came away with the 5-3 victory on Monday in Battle Creek. Growlers' starter Devin Pellien (Nova Southeastern) threw a good game, as he went six innings and allowed zero runs on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts to improve to 2-0 in five outings. Dan Robinson (Central Michigan) hit 3-for-5 with two runs batted in for Kalamazoo. Battle Creek had plenty of chances to get back into the game with 11 hits and drew six walks but left 18 runners on base.

Battle Creek 7, Kalamazoo 1 – Game 2

The two teams traveled to Kalamazoo for the nightcap of the doubleheader, and the Battle Creek Bombers earned a split in the series by defeating the Kalamazoo Growlers 7-1. Both starters did well not allowing runs even with lots of traffic on the bases. Battle Creek's Scott Sency (SVSU) earned the win and allowed one run on nine hits and zero walks with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings pitched. On the other side, Kalamazoo lefty Kevin Marnon (Ball State) allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks with three strikeouts over seven innings of work in the loss.

Lakeshore 10, Kenosha 8 – Game 1

In an offensive battle, the Lakeshore Chinooks took down the Kenosha Kingfish 10-8 in Mequon. The game combined for 18 runs on 24 hits with 11 walks in the contest as well. A flurry of scoring in the mid-to-late innings decided the ballgame. Lakeshore tied the game at 6 with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Kenosha grabbed lead right back in the seventh with a pair of runs. The Chinooks took their first lead of the game in the bottom half of the seventh inning with a grand slam hit by first baseman Matt Johnson (South Dakota State) to give them a 10-8 advantage.

Lakeshore 5, Kenosha 0 – Game 2

The second game of the doubleheader was played in Kenosha, and the Lakeshore Chinooks won the second game as well in shutout fashion against the Kenosha Kingfish. Lakeshore starter Brandon Parr (Madison College) had a big night on the mound with seven scoreless innings in his seventh outing and first start of the season. Parr allowed six hits and two walks with six strikeouts, as he improved his record to 1-1 and lowered his earned run average to 0.61 on the season. Chinooks Zac Taylor (Houston) and Matt Johnson (South Dakota State) both recorded two hits, as the Chinooks completed the sweep.

Willmar 4, Mankato 2 – Game 1

In the first seven-inning game, the Willmar Stingers defeated the Mankato MoonDogs 4-2 at home on Monday night. The MoonDogs scored a run in the top of the second to get the scoring started, but Willmar came right back with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Mankato leadoff hitter Jake Shepski (Notre Dame) hit a solo home run to begin the fifth, but the MoonDogs were unable to score in the final two innings.

Willmar 2, Mankato 1 – Game 2

The Willmar Stingers swept the doubleheader on Monday against the Mankato MoonDogs by a score of 2-1 in Game 2 at home. The seven-inning game went into extras and was finished in the bottom of the ninth with a walk off. With the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth, Stinger rightfielder Justin Toerner (Cal State Northridge) singled to score Cole Gray (Midland) for the victory. Both pitchers threw phenomenal games, which resulted in no decisions. Stingers' Jonny Ortiz (Nova Southeastern) allowed one run in seven innings and allowed four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Mankato's Alex Vesia (Cal State Eastbay) went six innings and allowed one run on six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.

Tuesday's Schedule

Wisconsin @ Duluth (6:35 PM)

Rochester @ Eau Claire (6:35 PM)

Lakeshore @ Wisconsin Rapids (7:05 PM)

Willmar @ Mankato (7:05 PM)

Waterloo @ St. Cloud (7:05 PM)

La Crosse @ Thunder Bay (7:05 PM)

Rockford @ Kenosha (7:05 PM)

Green Bay @ Battle Creek (7:05 PM)

Kalamazoo @ Madison (7:05 PM)