The Lakeshore Chinooks clinched the final spot of the playoffs on the last day of the Northwoods League regular season. Eight teams will move on to the playoffs, while 10 teams played their final game of the year on Sunday.
St. Cloud 3, Waterloo 2
The St. Cloud Rox defeated the Waterloo Bucks 3-2 in the 10th inning on the road Sunday. St. Cloud scored the first two runs of the game with one in the first and another in the second. Waterloo answered in the bottom of the eighth inning with a pair of runs to tie the game at two. Both teams went scoreless in the ninth, and the Rox scored one in the top of the 10th on a run-scoring single hit by Michael Strem (Boston College) for the game-winner. St. Cloud's starting pitcher Carlo Graffeo (Southeastern Louisiana) threw eight innings and allowed two unearned runs on seven hits and zero walks with three strikeouts.
Wisconsin 7, Kenosha 0
The Wisconsin Woodchucks blanked the Kenosha Kingfish 7-0 on the road on Sunday. Woodchucks' starting pitcher Scott Parker (University of San Francisco) threw a complete-game shutout and allowed five hits and one walk with five strikeouts to earn the victory. At the Plate, Woodchucks' shortstop George Janca (Texas A&M) made his final game of the season count, as he hit his first two homers of the season. He finished 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. Wisconsin's second baseman Connor Heady (University of Kentucky) hit his eighth home run of the season with three hits.
Lakeshore 7, Green Bay 4
The Lakeshore Chinooks never trailed in a 7-4 victory over the Green Bay Bullfrogs to earn a spot in the playoffs. Lakeshore scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning and extended its lead to five runs before the Bullfrogs added two in the bottom of the ninth. Chinooks' starter Jack Landwehr (Illinois State) pitched six innings and allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts for the victory. Lakeshore catcher Hayden Senger (Miami-Ohio) finished 2-for-5 with three RBI and one run scored, including his second home run of the season.
La Crosse 6, Rochester 5
The La Crosse Loggers walked off in a 6-5 victory over the Rochester Honkers in 10 innings on Sunday. Rochester scored one run in the eighth inning and rallied for three in the ninth to send the game into extras. The Honkers went down in order with three strikeouts in the top of the 10th, and Loggers' Randy Labaut (Arizona) singled to score the game-winning run from third base for the victory. La Crosse's starting pitcher Taylor Blatch (Florida State) threw five innings and allowed one run on four hits and four walks with four strikeouts in a no decision.
Battle Creek 10, Wisconsin Rapids 3
The Battle Creek Bombers blew out the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 10-3 at home on Sunday night. Battle Creek recorded 12 hits in the game, and eight batters finished with at least one hit in the win. First baseman Nick Podkul (Notre Dame) hit 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and one walk. The Bombers used three pitchers in the game, and David Inman (Florida Southwestern) threw four innings of relief and allowed one run on two hits and one walk with two strikeouts for the win.
Eau Claire 5, Duluth 4
The Eau Claire Express scored in the ninth inning to put the game into extra innings and walked off in the 10th to beat the Duluth Huskies 5-4 on Sunday night. After eight innings, the game was tied at three, and both teams scored one run in the ninth. The Huskies went down in order in the top of the 10th, and Eau Claire's Kyle Marinconz (Cal Poly) singled to drive in the game-winning run. Express' starting pitcher Caleb Willems (UW-La Crosse) threw five innings and allowed two runs on six hits and two walks with zero strikeouts in a no decision. Eau Claire's Daulton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee) hit his 15th home run of the season.
Kalamazoo 6, Rockford 5
The Kalamazoo Growlers came back from four runs down and walked off in the bottom of the 10th inning to beat the Rockford Rivets 6-5 on Sunday night. Rockford rallied for five runs in the second inning to give the Rivets a 5-1 advantage early. The Growlers chipped away with a single run in the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh innings to tie the game at five. With a runner at second and one out in the bottom of the 10th inning, Jay Smith (Kalamazoo Valley CC) singled to score the game-winning run. Growlers' Nick Hutchins (Southern Illinois) finished with four hits and two RBI.
Mankato 9, Thunder Bay 2
The Mankato MoonDogs scored in all but two innings in a 9-2 victory over the Thunder Bay Border Cats at home Sunday. Mankato hit three home runs in the game, including homers from Eric Peterson (Minnesota State Mankato), Jordan Kozicky (Minnesota) and Jake Roberts (Gonzaga). MoonDogs' starter Kody Rock (Mayville State) allowed 11 hits, walked three and hit a batter but gave up just two runs with four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings to earn the win. Thunder Bay actually outhit Mankato 12-11 but left 12 runners on base in the loss.
Willmar 14, Madison 7
The Willmar Stingers doubled up the Madison Mallards by a score of 14-7 at home on Sunday night. Willmar's centerfielder Danny Pardo (Montevallo) finished 3-for-3 with three RBI, three runs scored and a walk. Stingers' designated hitter Luke Becker (Kentucky) knocked in four runs, and first baseman Greg Lambert (Southern Illinois) had three RBI with his ninth home run of the season. On the mound, Willmar's starting pitcher Pearson McMahan (St. Johns River State) earned the win in five innings of work and gave up five runs on six hits and five walks with one strikeout.
Monday's Schedule
Mankato @ Eau Claire (6:35 PM)
Willmar @ St. Cloud (7:05 PM)
Lakeshore @ Wisconsin Rapids (7:05 PM)
Battle Creek @ Madison (7:05 PM)
