After losing the first game of the doubleheader, the Willmar Stingers clinched their Northwoods League playoff berth in perhaps the most dramatic way possible with a walk-off home run to highlight Friday night's action.

Waterloo 5, Willmar 3 – Game 1

The Waterloo Bucks scored two runs in the ninth inning to beat the Willmar Stingers 5-3 on the road on Friday night. Waterloo tied the game at three with a run in the top of the sixth inning. The game remained tied until the top of the ninth inning when the Bucks scored a pair of unearned runs to take the two-run lead. Willmar put runners at first and third in the bottom of the ninth but failed to score. For Waterloo, Robert Neustrom (Iowa) finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk and one RBI. Derek Hendrixson (Wright State) earned the win and threw three scoreless innings, allowed one hit and two walks with two strikeouts.

Willmar 7, Waterloo 6 – Game 2

The Willmar Stingers walked off in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat the Waterloo Bucks 7-6 to split the doubleheader. Waterloo broke a 1-1 tie with five runs in the top of the fourth inning, and Willmar answered with four runs in the fifth to cut the lead to one. The score remained the same until the bottom of the seventh. With two outs and a runner at second, first baseman Greg Lambert (Southern Illinois) connected on a two-run homer for the victory.

Duluth 9, Rochester 1

The Duluth Huskies took down the Rochester Honkers 9-1 in a rain-shortened game at home. Duluth scored five runs in the first inning of the game, which was called due to weather in the sixth inning. Huskies' first baseman Dillon Paulson (Southern California) hit 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and two runs scored, including his fourth home run of the season. Second baseman Casey Moses (Texas Wesleyan) finished 3-for-3 with three RBI and one run scored. Marcus Frederickson (Minnesota-Duluth) threw the final four innings of the game and allowed zero runs on two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts to pick up the win in relief.

Rockford 4, Green Bay 2

The Rockford Rivets scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning to beat the Green Bay Bullfrogs 4-2 on the road Friday night. Rockford began the scoring with two runs in the fourth inning, and Green Bay answered with two in the sixth. The game was tied until the Rivets scored twice in the 10th for the victory. Rockford finished with 11 hits in the game, and eight batters in the Rivets' lineup recorded at least one hit. Rockford's Ricardo Ramirez (UIC) finished 2-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored. Rivets' Drake Robison (Iowa) threw eight innings and gave up two runs on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts in a no decision.

Battle Creek 5, Lakeshore 2

The Battle Creek Bombers scored the first five runs of the game to beat the Lakeshore Chinooks at home on Friday night. The Bombers had a balanced night at the plate offensively, as they recorded nine hits, and eight batters finished with at least one hit. Battle Creek went through five pitchers in the victory, and Cody Puckett (Middle Tennessee State) threw two scoreless innings for the victory. Battle Creek's centerfielder Dean Miller (Riverside City College) hit 2-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored, while second baseman Christian Helsel (Penn State) homered for the Bombers.

Mankato 8, La Crosse 7

The Mankato MoonDogs came back from four runs down in an 8-7 victory over the La Crosse Loggers on Friday night at home. Mankato trailed 7-3 until the seventh inning when the MoonDogs rallied for five runs for the one-run lead. Mankato was outhit 11-7 in the victory but took advantage of three La Crosse errors, which led to six unearned runs. Mankato infielder Jordan Washam (La Tech) finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI, two runs scored and one walk. For La Crosse, Griffin Conine (Duke) blasted his 16th home run of the season, which is the most in the Northwoods League this season.

Wisconsin Rapids 10, Kalamazoo 1

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters blew out the Kalamazoo Growlers 10-1 at home on Friday night. Wisconsin Rapids outhit Kalamazoo 13-2, and nine batters in the Rafters' lineup recorded at least one hit. Second baseman Jake Lumley (Canisius) finished 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored and one walk. Designated hitter Rob Calabrese (Illinois-Chicago) hit 2-for-3 with two RBI, one run scored and two walks, and catcher Scott Kapers (Valparaiso) finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Rafters' starter Jake Repavich (Grand Canyon University) threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed one hit and one walk with two strikeouts to earn the win.

Eau Claire 5, Thunder Bay 4

The Eau Claire Express beat the Thunder Bay Border Cats 5-4 at home on Friday night. Eau Claire scored a run in the second, fourth and fifth innings to tie the game at three. Thunder Bay answered with a run in the top of the sixth to put the Border Cats ahead by one, but the Express added two runs in the bottom of the inning for the one-run advantage. Eau Claire reliever Kenny Ogg (Ohio) threw four innings and allowed one run on three hits and zero walks with one strikeout to pick up the win. Christian Tripp (New Mexico) threw a perfect ninth for the save.

Kenosha 11, Wisconsin 4

The Kenosha Kingfish scored 10 runs in two innings to beat the Wisconsin Woodchucks 11-4 on the road on Friday night. The Kingfish began the scoring with four runs in the fourth, which was followed by a six-run fifth inning to blow the game open. Kenosha batters hit three home runs in the game. Pete Schuler (Kent State) hit his sixth home run of the season, Pat McInerney (University of Illinois) connected on his third homer and Sawyer Gieseke (Arizona) homered for the second time this year. Kenosha's Cole Erickson (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) threw 7 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on six hits and zero walks with nine strikeouts for the win.

St. Cloud 8, Madison 0

The St. Cloud Rox shut out the Madison Mallards 8-0 on the road Friday night. St. Cloud's starting pitcher Aaron Rozek (Minnesota State-Mankato) threw six scoreless innings on three hits and three walks with nine strikeouts to earn the victory. At the plate, Rox shortstop Brett Pope (Western Carolina University) hit 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI. First baseman Ricky Ramirez (McNeese State) finished 2-for-4 with three RBI, one run scored and a walk.

Saturday's Schedule

Battle Creek @ Wisconsin Rapids (4:05 PM) – Game 1

Wisconsin Rapids @ Battle Creek (6:05 PM) – Game 2

Thunder Bay @ Mankato (5:05 PM) – Game 1

Thunder Bay @ Mankato (7:05 PM) – Game 2

Rockford @ Kalamazoo (6:05 PM)

Wisconsin @ Kenosha (6:05 PM)

Rochester @ La Crosse (6:05 PM)

Green Bay @ Lakeshore (6:15 PM)

Duluth @ Eau Claire (6:35 PM)

St. Cloud @ Waterloo (7:05 PM)

Madison @ Willmar (7:05 PM)