With several big games on Saturday night's Northwoods League schedule, the matchup between Eau Claire and St. Cloud was the most intriguing, as the the Rox had their 10-game winning streak snapped to put the Express closer to first place in the North Division. Just eight games were played tonight, as the game between Mankato and Thunder Bay was suspended in the bottom of the third inning and will be completed to nine innings on Sunday night beginning at 5:05, followed by a seven-inning game.
Kalamazoo 3, Rochester 1
The Kalamazoo Growlers defeated the Rochester Honkers 3-1 on Saturday night with solid pitching performances from both sides. Kalamazoo got on the board first with a run in the bottom of the first inning on a RBI double hit by Nick Hutchins (Southern Illinois), and Rochester answered with a run in the top of the second on a solo home run from Casey Worden (UC Riverside) to even the score at one. In the bottom of the third, the Growlers scored on a RBI single from Trey Ganns (Northern Kentucky) followed by a run-scoring double hit by Brady Cherry (Ohio State), which was the final score of the game. Kalamazoo starter Jacob Piechota (Western Michigan) allowed one run on seven hits and a walk with one strikeout over eight innings of work for the win.
Willmar 11, La Crosse 9
The Willmar Stingers scored four runs in the ninth to break the tie and held on to win in the bottom half of the inning and beat the La Crosse Loggers 11-9 on the road. La Crosse scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at seven. The Stingers grabbed the lead right back with a four-spot in the top of the ninth and survived La Crosse's two-run rally in the bottom half of the inning. La Crosse actually outhit Willmar 13-11, but Stinger batters were walked six times. Willmar centerfielder Danny Pardo (Montevallo) hit 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored with a home run.
Kenosha 13, Battle Creek 6
The Kenosha Kingfish came back from a six-run deficit and scored seven runs in the bottom half of the seventh inning to beat the Battle Creek Bombers 13-6 at home. Battle Creek scored two in the top of the first, one in the second and three in the third to open up a 6-0 lead after the first three innings. The Kingfish cut the lead in half with a three-run fourth and exploded for seven in the seventh to take their first lead of the game 10-6. Kenosha put the game even more out of reach with three more runs in the eighth. Eight batters recorded hits for the Kingfish, and Adam Dressler (Purdue University) threw five scoreless innings of relief to pick up the victory.
Wisconsin Rapids 3, Lakeshore 2
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters had a big game from their starter in a 3-2 victory over the Lakeshore Chinooks on the road. Pitcher Enrique Zamora (Calumet College of St. Joseph) allowed one run on four hits and four walks with five strikeouts over six innings of work to improve to 1-1 in three appearances this season. Lakeshore scored a run in the bottom of the first inning to open up the scoring, and Wisconsin Rapids answered with two in the top of the second and added another in the seventh to take a 3-1 lead. The Chinooks added a run in the eighth, but it was not enough for a win. Rafters rightfielder Dustin Woodcock (SIU-Edwardsville) hit 3-for-5 with a run scored and a RBI.
Madison 9, Green Bay 1
The Madison Mallards led from start to finish to defeat the Green Bay Bullfrogs 9-1 on the road. Madison used three pitchers and limited Green Bay to just two hits and one run. Mallards starter Frank German (North Florida) threw 5 1/3 innings and allowed a run on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Luke Schilling (Illinois) and Logan Sherer (UNC-Charlotte) combined to throw 3 2/3 scoreless innings for the win. Eight batters recorded hits for the Mallards, who finished with 12 on the night. Zach Jarrett (UNC-Charlotte) hit his fourth home run of the season for Madison.
Wisconsin 9, Rockford 7
The Wisconsin Woodchucks had a big night at the plate offensively in a 9-7 victory over the Rockford Rivets at home. Wisconsin recorded 14 hits and drew eight walks in the game. Eight batters recorded hits for the Woodchucks, and five recorded multiple hits. Leadoff hitter Mac Caples (Virginia Tech) finished 3-for-4 with a walk, three RBI and two runs scored in the win. Scott Parker (University of San Francisco) earned te victory for the Woodchucks, who improved to 13-10 on the season, while Rockford dropped its record to 11-13.
Eau Claire 5, St. Cloud 0
The Eau Claire Express won their fifth game in a row in a shutout 5-0 victory over the St. Cloud Rox, who came into the game riding a 10-game winning streak. The Rox finished the game scoreless but recorded nine hits and left 10 runners on base. Caleb Boushley (UW-La Crosse) threw six scoreless innings on six hits and zero walks with seven strikeouts. Eau Claire leftfielder Zach Ashford (Fresno State) hit 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. The Express improved to 17-8 for a tie for second place in the North Division, just 0.5 games behind St. Cloud, who has a 17-7 overall record this season.
Duluth 5, Waterloo 2
In addition to a brief delay, the Duluth Huskies defeated the Waterloo Bucks 5-2 on Saturday night at home. Duluth scored two runs in the first and a run in the second to take an early 3-0 lead. Waterloo scored a run in the fourth and another in the sixth to cut the advantage to just one. The Huskies picked up a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to give them a 5-2 advantge. There were just seven hits in the game, as Duluth had four, and Waterloo recorded three. Huskies starter Riley Gates (BYU) allowed one run on one hit and three walks over five innings of work and seven strikeouts to pick up the victory.
Sunday's Schedule
Battle Creek @ Kenosha (1:05 PM)
Rochester @ Kalamazoo (3:05 PM)
Rockford @ Wisconsin (3:05 PM)
Waterloo @ Duluth (3:05 PM)
Madison @ Green Bay (4:05 PM)
St. Cloud @ Eau Claire (5:05 PM)
Willmar @ La Crosse (5:05 PM)
Wisconsin Rapids @ Lakeshore (5:05 PM)
Mankato @ Thunder Bay (5:05 PM) – Game 1
Mankato @ Thunder Bay (7:05 PM) – Game 2
