With a full 10 games on Sunday, there was plenty of excitement around the Northwoods League. Kenosha scoed three runs in the ninth for a walk-off win over Battle Creek, Madison stunned Green Bay in extras, and Eau Claire completed the sweep over St. Cloud.
Kenosha 6, Battle Creek 5
The Kenosha Kingfish rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for a walk-off 6-5 victory over the Battle Creek Bombers on Sunday afternoon. Battle Creek scored an insurane run in the top of the eighth to put them ahead 5-3 going into the ninth. Pat McInerney (University of Illinois) and Pete Schuler (Kent State) each had RBI base hits in the bottom of the ninth for the Kingfish to tie the game at five. Later in the inning with the bases loaded and just one out, Nick Kanavas (Madison College) reached on an error by the second baseman, and the game-winning run scored from third.
Rockford 12, Wisconsin 5
The Rockford Rivets had a big night at the plate offensively, as they defeated the Wisconsin Woodchucks 12-5 on the road. Rockford pounded out 16 hits in the game and drew six walks, so the Rivets had plenty of players on the basepaths throughout the game. On the other side, Wisconsin had a solid game on offense as well with 13 hits and five walks but left 13 runners stranded. The Rivets took a big lead early with six runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back. David Cronin (UIC) hit 3-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored for Rockford, and Ricardo Ramirez (UIC) finished the game 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI with a home run in the victory.
Kalamazoo 6, Rochester 0
The Kalamazoo Growlers received a brilliant pitching performance from their starter in a 6-0 shutout victory over the Rochester Honkers. Devin Pellien (Nova Southeastern) threw eight scoreless innings and allowed just two hits and zero walks with eight strikeouts to improve to 3-0 on the season in four starts and six appearance. Kalamazoo scored three runs in the bottom of the second, one in the fourth and two in the sixth to jump out to its 6-0 advantage. The Growlers improved to 16-12, while Rochester dropped to 5-20 on the season.
Waterloo 4, Duluth 2
The Waterloo Bucks led the Duluth Huskies the entire game and held on to defeat the Duluth Huskies 4-2 on Sunday. Lane Milligan (New Mexico) began the scoring in the top of the first inning for Waterloo with a two-RBI single, which was followed up by a run-scoring groundout to put the Bucks ahead 3-0 after the first. Duluth got on the scoreboard with a run in the bottom of the second and added another in the fourth to cut the lead to one, but Waterloo answered with a run in the top of the fifth, which was the final score of the game. Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) hit 3-for-4 for Waterloo with a run scored, while Daniel Amaral (UCLA) finished with a four-hit night for Duluth.
Madison 6, Green Bay 5
The Madison Mallards defeated the Green Bay Bullfrogs 6-5 on the road in 12 innings on Sunday. Madison scored a run in the top of the ninth to tie the game at five and send it to extra innings. After a pair of scoreless frames from both sides, the Mallards broke the tie with a run in the 12th inning to give them a 6-5 lead on a double hit by Cameron Frost (Washington State) to score Matt Vierling (Notre Dame). Alex Smith (North Florida) shut down the Bullfrogs in order in the bottom half of the 12th with one strikeout to pick up the save. Madison improved to 16-9, just a half game behind Wisconsin Rapids in the North Division.
Mankato 8, Thunder Bay 4 – Game 1
The Mankato MoonDogs and Thunder Bay Border Cats made up their game that was postponed during yesterday's game and resumed today to nine innings in Game 1 of the doubleheader. It took an extra inning to decide it, but the MoonDogs scored four in the top of the 10th for the 8-4 victory. Mankato scored four runs in the top of the first inning on a grand slam hit by Chase Hamilton (Austin Peay), and the MoonDogs did not score again until the 10th inning. The Border Cats were shut down in order in the bottom half of the inning, as they picked up the loss in Game 1.
Thunder Bay 3, Mankato 0 – Game 2
The Thunder Bay Border Cats shut down the Mankato MoonDogs 3-0 in Game 2 of the doubleheader, which was a seven-inning contest. The Border Cats scored two in the bottom of the first on a two-RBI double from Anthony Brocato (St. Johns University), and they scored another run in the second to make it a 3-0 ballgame. The biggest performance in the game came from Thunder Bay's starting pitcher Cameron Churchill (Nova Southeastern University). He threw a complete game and allowed no runs with one hit and zero walks with nine strikeouts for the win.
Eau Claire 5, St. Cloud 2
The Eau Claire Express led from start to finish in a 5-2 victory over the St. Cloud Rox to sweep the series after the Rox came in with a 10-game winning streak. The Express scored two in the bottom of the first and another in the third to open up a 3-0 lead. St. Cloud added single runs in the fourth and fifth to cut the deficit to one, but Eau Claire answered back with two in the seventh for the 5-2 win. Brody Rodning (Mankato) had a solid outing for the Express on the mound. He threw six innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and five walks with seevn strikeouts to pick up the victory.
Lakeshore 6, Wisconsin Rapids 2
The Lakeshore Chinooks used just two pitchers for the 6-2 victory over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters on Sunday. Lakeshore received solid performances from starter Keenan Bartlett (Richmond) and reliever Chris Choles (North Dakota State). Bartlett threw six innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts to pick up the win. Choles came on in relief and threw three scoreless innings with one hit and two strikeouts for the save. Lakeshore's Kevin Riley (Chaffey CC) hit 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored with a home run.
Willmar 16, La Crosse 3
The Willmar Chinooks dominated the La Crosse Loggers on Sunday in a 16-3 victory on the road. Willmar pounded out 17 hits and had a solid game pitching as well. Eight batters in the Stingers' lineup recorded hits, and three finished with at least three hits. Justin Toerner (Cal State Northridge) hit 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored with a pair of home runs. Greg Lambert (Southern Illinois) hit 4-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored. Willmar improved its record to 13-13, while La Crosse fell to 14-12 on the season.
Monday's Schedule
Wisconsin Rapids @ Wisconsin (5:35 PM) – Game 1
Wisconsin Rapids @ Wisconsin (7:35 PM) – Game 2
Madison @ Lakeshore (6:35 PM)
Battle Creek @ Rockford (6:35 PM)
La Crosse @ Waterloo (7:05 PM)
Duluth @ Mankato (7:05 PM)
Kalamazoo @ Kenosha (7:05 PM)
Eau Claire @ Green Bay (7:05 PM)
Thunder Bay @ Rochester (7:05 PM)
Willmar @ St. Cloud (7:05 PM)
