It was another busy night in the Northwoods League on Saturday night with 11 total games, including two doubleheader matchups. Tomorrow will mark the final day of the regular season before the playoffs begin on Monday.
Battle Creek 5, Wisconsin Rapids 2 – Game 1
The Battle Creek Bombers defeated the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 5-2 on the road on Saturday night. Battle Creek scored the first four runs of the game with a single run in the second, third, fourth and seventh innings to make it a 4-0 advantage. Wisconsin Rapids scored twice in the bottom of the seventh, and the Bombers added an insurance run in the top of the eighth. Battle Creek rightfielder Nick Poirier (Michigan) hit 3-for-4 with a walk, RBI and a run scored, and centerfielder Dean Miller (Riverside City College) finished 3-for-5 with a run scored.
Wisconsin Rapids 14, Battle Creek 5 – Game 2
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters blew out the Battle Creek Bombers 14-5 in Game 2 of the doubleheader. Wisconsin Rapids pounded out 12 hits in the seven-inning game. Rafters' designated hitter Joe Wainhouse (Washington) finished 3-for-4 with four RBI, two runs scored and one walk, as well as his ninth homer of the season. Wisconsin Rapids' shortstop Richie Palacios (Towson) hit 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBI. Jay Peters (UW Milwaukee) earned the win and allowed two runs on four hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in five innings of work.
Thunder Bay 6, Mankato 0 – Game 1
The Thunder Bay Border Cats shut out the Mankato MoonDogs 6-0 on the road on Saturday night. Thunder Bay scored the first run of the game in the top of the first inning and added three in the sixth on a three-run homer hit by Josh Gillerman (St. Johns University) to make it a four-run game. The Border Cats scored a run in the next inning with a solo shot from Gui Gingras (St. Johns University), which was followed by another run in the ninth for the six-run victory. Cameron Churchill (Nova Southeastern University) threw seven scoreless innings in relief and allowed three hits and two walks with six strikeouts for the win.
Mankato 7, Thunder Bay 0 – Game 2
The Mankato MoonDogs shut out the Thunder Bay Border Cats 7-0 in the second game of the doubleheader. Game 2 was just a seven-inning game, and Mankato's starting pitcher Brett Newberg (Austin Peay) threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed three hits and two walks with five strikeouts for the victory. MoonDogs' designated hitter Jordan Kozicky (Minnesota) finished 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored including his second home run of the season. Third baseman David Metzgar (Cal St. Bakersfield) hit 2-for-4 with three RBI and one run scored.
Rockford 5, Kalamazoo 4
The Rockford Rivets survived a late rally to beat the Kalamazoo Growlers 5-4 on the road on Saturday night. Rockford held a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the eighth, but the Growlers rallied for three runs to cut the lead to two. Kalamazoo scored one in the ninth and loaded the bases with one out before a double play ended the game. Rockford's Cory Wright (Parkland CC) threw 7 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits and zero walks with one strikeout to earn the victory. At the plate, Rockford's Jack Wassel (Minnesota) hit his first home run of the season and finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored.
La Crosse 2, Rochester 0
The La Crosse Loggers took down the Rochester Honkers 2-0 on the road in a pitcher's duel on Saturday night. La Crosse's starter Nick Raquet (William Mary) had a big night on the mound, as he threw eight scoreless innings and allowed four hits and two walks with nine strikeouts to earn the victory. Mark Nowaczewski (Nevada) threw a scoreless ninth and picked up a save. The Loggers scored both of their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning with a lead-off solo home run by Mason McCoy (Iowa), and the other run was unearned because of an error on the catcher.
Lakeshore 5, Green Bay 3
The Lakeshore Chinooks defeated the Green Bay Bullfrogs by a score of 5-3 at home on Saturday night. Lakeshore scored two runs in the first inning, and Green Bay answered with two in the second. The Chinooks got the lead right back with one in the third and two in the fourth for a three-run advantage. The Bullfrogs scored one run in the top of the eighth, but it was not enough to take down Lakeshore. Nick Lackney (Minnesota) earned the win and allowed three runs on eight hits and zero walks with three strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings for the Chinooks.
Kenosha 5, Wisconsin 1
The Kenosha Kingfish took down the Wisconsin Woodchucks 5-1 at home on Saturday night. Kenosha scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning, but Wisconsin tied the game in the third. The Kingfish reclaimed the lead immediately with a run in the third and another in the fifth. Kenosha put the game away with a pair of insurance runs in the eighth inning to make it a four-run deficit. Kingfish starting pitcher Adam Dressler (Purdue University) threw seven innings and allowed one unearned run on eight hits and zero walks with five strikeouts for the victory.
Duluth 6, Eau Claire 5
The Duluth Huskies scored three runs in the eighth inning with one swing of the bat to beat the Eau Claire Express 6-5 on Saturday night on the road. Eau Claire held a 5-3 advantage after the sixth inning, but Huskies' designated hitter Dillon Paulson (Southern California) connected on a three-run homer to put Duluth on top. Paulson finished 2-for-4 at the plate with four RBI and one run scored, including his fifth home run of the season. Centerfielder Daniel Amaral (UCLA) also homered for his first of the season.
Waterloo 14, St. Cloud 2
The Waterloo Bucks scored 10 runs in the first innings in a dominating 14-2 victory over the St. Cloud Rox at home on Saturday night. Waterloo sent 14 batters to the plate and recorded 11 hits in the 10-run bottom of the first inning, which was capped off by a two-run home run hit by Lane Milligan (New Mexico). Milligan hit 3-for-5 at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored, including his second homer of the season. The Bucks finished with 19 hits in the game, and four batters recorded three hits. Brett Solano (Menlo College) threw a complete game and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and zero walks with three strikeouts for the win.
Willmar 11, Madison 8
The Willmar Stingers beat the Madison Mallards in a slugfest 11-8 at home on Saturday night. Willmar outhit Madison 13-12, and Stingers' first baseman Eddie Estrada (Minnesota) finished 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI and two runs scored, including his fifth home run of the season. Rightfielder Justin Toerner (Cal State Northridge) finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, one RBI and a walk. Stingers' starter Brad Schaenzer (Kentucky) threw five innings and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts in the win.
Sunday's Schedule
St. Cloud @ Waterloo (3:35 PM)
Wisconsin @ Kenosha (4:05 PM)
Lakeshore @ Green Bay (4:05 PM)
Rockford @ Kalamazoo (5:05 PM)
Rochester @ La Crosse (5:05 PM)
Wisconsin Rapids @ Battle Creek (5:05 PM)
Duluth @ Eau Claire (5:05 PM)
Madison @ Willmar (6:05 PM)
Thunder Bay @ Mankato (6:05 PM)
