The Madison Mallards found themselves trailing by five runs after seven innings, but they had a huge rally in the top of the eighth for seven runs in a victory over the Kenosha Kingfish to highlight a full night of action in the Northwoods League on Wednesday.
Duluth 5, Rochester 3
The Duluth Huskies scored five unanswered runs to finish the game to beat the Rochester Honkers 5-3 at home on Wednesday night. Rochester scored twice in the top of the first inning and added one more in the second for an early 3-0 advantage. The Honkers tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, which was capped off with a two-run homer from Matt Brown (Jeff Co) for his sixth home run of the season. Rochester took the lead with a run in the fifth and added another in the sixth for the two-run victory. Corey Gaconi (Southeastern Louisiana) earned the win, as he threw seven innings and allowed three runs on eight hits and one walk with a strikeout.
Eau Claire 5, Willmar 4
The Eau Claire Express scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 5-4 walk-off victory over the Willmar Stingers. Willmar scored one in the top of the third inning and added two more in the fifth. Eau Claire cut the lead to one in the seventh before the Stingers added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. The Express trailed 4-2 going into the bottom of the ninth and tied the game with a two-run double from designated hitter Kyle Marinconz (Cal Poly). Following a pair of intentional walks to load the bases, Rudy Rott (Ohio University) walked for the game-winning run.
Wisconsin Rapids 5, Lakeshore 4
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters came back from three runs down in a 5-4 win over the Lakeshore Chinooks on the road Wednesday night. Wisconsin Rapids scored first with a run in the top of the first, and Lakeshore scored one in the third and fourth innings with two more in the sixth to make it a 4-1 Chinooks' advantage. The Rafters scored one run in the seventh and rallied for three in the eighth, highlighted by a two-run homer leftfielder Dusin Woodcock (SIU-Edwardsville) for the one-run victory.
Green Bay 4, Rockford 3
The Green Bay Bullfrogs walked off on Wednesday night in a 4-3 victory over the Rockford Rivets. After five scoreless innings, Green Bay scored twice in the bottom of the sixth, and the Rivets took the lead with three runs in the top of the eighth with a two-run homer from second baseman Neal Tyrell (Lewis University). The Bullfrogs tied the game at three with a run-scoring single from rightfielder Marcus Shoemaker (Lenoir Rhyne University). With the bases loaded and one out, Jonah Davis (University of California) hit a sacrifice fly to score Austin Clemons (University of Louisville) for the game-winning run.
Kalamazoo 16, Wisconsin 11
The Kalamazoo Growlers outslugged the Wisconsin Woodchucks 16-11 on the road Wednesday night. Kalamazoo was outhit 15-14 in the victory, and Growlers' designated hitter Sam Griggs (Southern Indiana) hit 5-for-5 with five RBI and three runs scored with his second home run of the year. Kalamazoo's rightfielder Dan Robinson (Central Michigan) reached base on all five plate appearances as well. He finished 2-for-2 with three walks, five RBI and three runs scored, including his first home run of the season. Brandon Gomez (Nova Southeastern) connected on his sixth homer in the victory.
St. Cloud 4, Waterloo 1
The St. Cloud Rox scored the final four runs of the game in a 4-1 home victory over the Waterloo Bucks on Wednesday night. Waterloo scored the first run of the game with one in the top of the second inning, and St. Cloud took the lead with two in the third, followed by a two-run home run in the seventh from Mark Skonieczny (University of Illinois) to make it a three-run game. St. Cloud starter Dan Metzdorf (Boston College) allowed one run on six hits and zero walks with four strikeouts for the win over seven innings of work.
Madison 9, Kenosha 7
The Madison Mallards scored seven runs in the top of the eighth inning to beat the Kenosha Kingfish 9-7 on the road on Wednesday night. Madison trailed by five runs going into the inning, and the Mallards sent 12 batters to the plate in the seven-run rally. Madison finished with 16 total hits on the night, and Nelson Maldonado (Florida), Cameron Frost (Washington State) and Josh Stowers (Louisville) each recorded three hits. Marty Bechina (Michigan State) and Pete Schuler (Kent State) both homered for the Kingfish in the loss.
Thunder Bay 8, La Crosse 4
The Thunder Bay Border Cats scored seven runs in the top of the sixth inning in an 8-4 victory over the La Crosse Loggers on Wednesday night on the road. The Border Cats sent 11 batters to the plate in the inning and finished with 14 hits in the game. Every hitter for Thunder Bay recorded at least one hit. Border Cats' shortstop Andy Weber (University of Virginia) hit 3-for-5 with three RBI and one run scored. Starter Brandon Langan (University of New Mexico) threw five innings and allowed two runs on three hits and four walks with one strikeout to pick up the victory.
Battle Creek 7, Mankato 5
The Battle Creek Bombers scored five runs in the final two innings to beat the Mankato MoonDogs 7-5 on the road. Battle Creek scored twice in the eighth to tie the game at four, and the Bombers led off the ninth with back-to-back homers from Nick Podkul (Notre Dame) and Dean Miller (Riverside City College). Battle Creek added another run to take a three-run advantage, and Mankato scored one in the bottom of the ninth but not enough to take down the Bombers.
Thursday's Schedule
St. Cloud @ Thunder Bay (5:05 PM) – Game 1
St. Cloud @ Thunder Bay (7:05 PM) – Game 2
Wisconsin Rapids @ Rockford (6:35 PM)
Lakeshore @ Wisconsin (6:35 PM)
Battle Creek @ Rochester (7:05 PM)
Kalamazoo @ Green Bay (7:05 PM)
Eau Claire @ Waterloo (7:05 PM)
Duluth @ Willmar (7:05 PM)
La Crosse @ Mankato (7:05 PM)
Kenosha @ Madison (7:05 PM)
