For the first time in the 2016 Northwoods League season, a no-hitter was completed. The game ended after seven innings, as it was the second game of the Saturday's doubleheader, but Kenosha Kingfish starter Rigo Beltran (Lynn University) threw seven innings without allowing a hit with 12 strikeouts.
Rockford 6, Kenosha 3 – Game 1
The Rockford Rivets doubled up the Kenosha Kingfish 6-3 at home on Saturday in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Rockford got on the board first with three runs in the bottom of the second with a RBI single from Michael Smith (San Jacinto JC), and another single from Hunter Steinmetz (Missouri State) that scored two runs. Steinmetz hit 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored. Drake Robison (Iowa) threw six innings in relief and picked up the win. Robison allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks with two strikeouts.
Kenosha 3, Rockford 0 – Game 2
Kenosha Kingfish starter Rigo Beltran (Lynn University) threw the first no-hitter of the Northwoods League season in Game 2, which was a seven-inning contest. Kenosha won the game 3-0 over the Rockford Rivets. Beltran threw the complete seven innings and allowed no runs and no walks with five walks and 12 strikeouts in the win. Kenosha scored all of its three runs in the bottom of the third inning with RBI from Pat McInerney (University of Illinois), Gunner McNeil (Kentucky) and Nick Kanavas (Madison College). Kenosha shortstop Blake Reese (Florida) hit 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in the win.
St. Cloud 4, Madison 0
The St. Cloud Rox shut out the Madison Mallards 4-0 on the road Saturday. St. Cloud starter Logan Salow (University of Kentucky) threw six scoreless innings on three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts. Robbie Palkert (University of Nebraska) threw three shutout innings in relief and allowed one hit, zero walks and struck out two batters. The Rox scored a run in the third inning and another in the fourth to take a 2-0 advantage. St. Cloud added two more in the top of the eighth to make it a 4-0 game. Madison had just one base runner in the final two frames in the loss.
Lakeshore 3, Battle Creek 1
The Lakeshore Chinooks led from start to finish, as they defeated the Battle Creek Bombers 3-1 on the road. Lakeshore scored two runs in the top of the first inning to open up a 2-0 lead, and the Chinooks extended the advantage to three with a run in the fifth on a wild pitch. Battle Creek scored its lone run of the game in the bottom of the eighth, but it was not enough to take down the Chinooks. Dazon Cole (Central Michigan) picked up the win in eight innings of work. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Keenan Bartlett (Richmond) earned the save with a scoreless ninth.
Mankato 9, La Crosse 3
The La Crosse Loggers took an early lead, but the Mankato MoonDogs recorded a pair of four-run innings for the 9-3 victory. La Crosse scored one in the bottom half of the second inning before Mankato scored four runs in the top of the third with a pair of two-run home runs. Second baseman Drew Fearing (NDSU) hit his second of the season, and Chase Hamilton (Austin Peay) knocked out his fourth homer. Mankato scored four more in the fifth, highlighted by another two-run home run from Bryce Adams (LSU). MoonDogs' starter Josh Matheson (Minnesota State Mankato) earned the win with six innings of work, and he allowed one run on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts.
Thunder Bay 2, Willmar 0
The Thunder Bay Border Cats scored two runs in the first inning, and that's all they needed to defeat the Willmar Stingers 2-0 at home. Thunder Bay rightfielder Joe Gellenbeck (Xavier University) connected on a two-RBI double in the bottom of the first for the lone scoring play of the game. Border Cats' starting pitcher Cameron Churchill (Nova Southeastern University) threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts for the win. Thunder Bay improved to 6-26, while Willmar dropped to 15-18 on the season.
Green Bay 12, Wisconsin 4
The Wisconsin Woodchucks had a one-run lead twice, but the Green Bay Bullfrogs came away with a blowout victory with a score of 12-4 on the road. The Woodchucks scored one in the first inning, and both teams scored two in the second before Green Bay took control with four in the third and five in the fifth. Bullfrogs' shortstop Parker Coss (UC-Irvine) hit 3-for-4 with four RBI and a pair of runs scored. Matthew Hoeg (Iowa Western Community College) finished 3-for-5 at the plate with a pair of runs scored. Green Bay improved to 13-20, while Wisconsin dropped to 13-19 on the season.
Eau Claire 5, Waterloo 3
The Eau Claire Express used a four-run seventh inning to defeat the Waterloo Bucks 5-3 on Saturday at home. The Express scored one run in the first, but Waterloo tied the game in the second and took the lead in the sixth to make it a 2-1 game. Eau Claire scored four in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead for good. The Bucks added a run in the eighth, but it was not enough to beat the Express. Cody Bohanek (UIC), Mickey McDonald (UI-Chicago), Kyle Marinconz (Cal Poly) and Sam Hurt (Kent State) all recorded two hits for Eau Claire.
Duluth 13, Rochester 8
The Duluth Huskies scored 10 runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Rochester Honkers 13-8 on Saturday night. Rochester outhit the Huskies 17-8 in the loss. The Honkers held an 8-0 advantage after five innings, and Duluth scored one in the sixth and two in the seventh to make it an 8-3 game. The Huskies exploded for 10 runs in the top of the eighth inning, as they sent 13 batters to the plate and complete the comeback. Daniel Amaral (UCLA) hit 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Liam Sabino (Vanderbilt) hit two home runs and hit 2-for-4 with a walk, three RBI and three runs scored.
Wisconsin Rapids 6, Kalamazoo 3
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters tied the game in the ninth to force extra innings and scored three in the 10th to defeat the Kalamazoo Growlers 6-3. Brandon Polizzi (Cal State – Dominguez Hills) scored from third in the ninth on a wild pitch to force the 10th inning. In the 10th, Dustin Woodcock (SIU-Edwardsville) hit a two-RBI double, and he scored on a single from Demetrius Sims (Bethune-Cookman). Wisconsin Rapids starter Jake Repavich (Grand Canyon University) threw six innings and allowed three runs (zero earned) on five hits and two walks with no strikeouts in the no decision.
Sunday's Schedule
Duluth @ Rochester (1:05 PM)
Wisconsin Rapids @ Kalamazoo (3:05 PM)
Waterloo @ Eau Claire (5:05 PM)
Rockford @ Kenosha (5:05 PM)
St. Cloud @ Madison (5:05 PM)
Willmar @ Thunder Bay (5:05 PM)
Mankato @ La Crosse (6:05 PM)
Wisconsin @ Green Bay (6:05 PM)
Lakeshore @ Battle Creek (7:05 PM)
