Monday's Northwoods League slate featured 10 games with a doubleheader between the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The Rafters swept the series and moved a full game ahead of the South Division's second-place Madison Mallards, who won their third game in a row on Monday night.
Wisconsin Rapids 12, Wisconsin 5 – Game 1
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters used the long ball to defeat the Wisconsin Woodchucks 12-5 in a seven-inning Game 1 of the doubleheader on the road Monday night. After the first inning of play, Wisconsin held a 3-1 lead, but the Rafters rallied for six runs in the top of the second inning to take a lead they would never give up. Wisconsin Rapids centerfielder Logan Mattix (Georgia College) finished the game 4-for-4 with four runs scored and three RBI with a pair of home runs. Rafters' catcher Joey Morgan (Washington) crushed a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to seven.
Wisconsin Rapids 4, Wisconsin 1 – Game 2
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters completed the sweep of the Wisconsin Woodchucks by beating them 4-1 in Game 2, which was also a seven-inning contest. Wisconsin Rapids scored four runs in the top of the second inning, and that is all the Rafters needed for the win. Wisconsin Rapids kept the four-run deficit for the majority of the game until the Woodchucks got on the board in the top of the seventh with a run. Rafters' starter Eric Ligda (Millersville) had a big night and picked up the win. He threw six shutout innings and allowed just one hit and one walk with seven strikeouts.
Rockford 4, Battle Creek 3
The Rockford Rivets scored a run in the bottom of the eight to take the lead and defeated the Battle Creek Bombers 4-3 on Monday night at home. Rockford scored a run in the second, followed by two in the third to take a 3-0 lead, but Battle Creek answered with one in the fourth and two in the fifth to tie the game at 3. With two outs and a runner at first in the bottom of the eighth inning, Rockford designated hitter Cade Bunnell (Madison Tech) stepped up to the plate and hit a double to score the run to give the Rivets the lead. Battle Creek put runners at first and second with one out in the ninth but failed to score, as Rockford came awa with the win.
Kenosha 7, Kalamazoo 1
The Kenosha Kingfish recieved a big game from their starting pitcher Cole Erickson (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) in a 7-1 victory over the Kalamazoo Growlers. Erickson threw seven shutout innings and allowed three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts to 2-2 on the season in five appearances and four starts. Kenosha opened up a 3-0 advantage with three runs in the second inning. The Kingfish scored a run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to give them a 6-0 lead, and both teams added a run in the eighth. Kenosha won its fourth game in a row to improve to 13-15, while the Growlers dropped to 16-13 on the season.
Madison 6, Lakeshore 2
The Madison Mallards scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning, which was the difference in a 6-2 victory over the Lakeshore Chinooks. Madison took a 1-0 lead in the fourth, and in the sixth, the Mallards had four hits with a walk and reached on an error to score four to take a 5-0 advantage. Lakeshore added a run in the sixth and seventh to cut the lead to three, and Madison added an insurance run in the eighth. Mike Reitcheck (Penn) picked up the win for Madison, as he threw six innings and allowed one run on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts.
Mankato 8, Duluth 1
The Mankato MoonDogs led from start to finish in an 8-1 victory over the Duluth Huskies. Mankato scored one in the first and three in the second to take a 4-0 lead. The score remained the same until the MoonDogs added another in the seventh, followed by three in the eighth before Duluth added its lone run of the game in the top of the ninth. The Huskies had chances to get into the game with eight hits and five walks, but they left 12 runners stranded. Alex Vesia (Cal St. Eastbay) had a big game with seven scoreless innings on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts to improve to 1-0 in two starts.
St. Cloud 7, Willmar 0
The St. Cloud Rox blanked the Willmar Stingers 7-0 at home on Monday night. Aaron Rozek (Minnesota State-Mankato) had a big day on the mound with six scoreless innings and allowed five hits and a walk with nine strikeouts for the win. Robbie Palkert (University of Nebraska) came on in relief and threw three shutout innings to pick up the save. The Rox recorded eight hits on the night and also drew eight walks. St. Cloud designated hitter Michael Strem (Boston College) finished the game 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI.
Waterloo 7, La Crosse 1
The La Crosse Loggers scored the first run of the game before the Waterloo Bucks scored seven unanswered runs for the 7-1 home victory on Monday. Waterloo evened the score at 1 with a run in the bottom of the third before the Bucks added three in the fourth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh. Waterloo leadoff hitter and second baseman Taylor Boyd (St. Josephs) recorded a four-hit night and knocked in four runs. Bucks' starter Patrick Boyle (Missouri Baptist) allowed one run over six innings of work and allowed seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts, as he improved to 2-1 in six starts this season.
Green Bay 4, Eau Claire 2
The Green Bay Bullfrogs took down the Eau Claire Express 4-2 at home on Monday night. After Eau Claire got on the board first with a run in the top of the fourth, Green Bay scored three in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from centerfielder Jonah Davis (University of California) for his fourth of the season. Third baseman Austin Clemons (University of Louisville) recorded three hits for the Bullfrogs. Green Bay starter Chad Mabini (Western Carolina University) picked up the win with six innings of work and allowed two runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
Rochester 7, Thunder Bay 5
The Rochester Honkers scored four in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead and eventually defeat the Thunder Bay Border Cats 7-5 at home. A solo home run from Rochester's Drew Ellis (Louisville) began the scoring in the bottom of the second inning, and Rochester scored again in the third to take an early 2-0 lead. Thunder Bay scored one in the fifth and two in the sixth with a homer from Shane Shepard (North Carolina State), but Rochester tied the game at 3 with a run in the bottom of the sixth. The Border Cats grabbed the lead right back with a pair of solo home runs hit by Anthony Brocato (St. Johns University) and Bobby Honeyman (Stony Brook University) in the seventh. Rochester grabbed four runs in the bottom of the seventh for the victory.
Tuesday's Schedule
Battle Creek @ Rockford (6:35 PM)
Madison @ Lakeshore (6:35 PM)
Duluth @ Mankato (7:05 PM)
Wisconsin @ Wisconsin Rapids (7:05 PM)
La Crosse @ Waterloo (7:05 PM)
St. Cloud @ Willmar (7:05 PM)
Kalamazoo @ Kenosha (7:05 PM)
Eau Claire @ Green Bay (7:05 PM)
Thunder Bay @ Rochester (7:05 PM)
