On the first night of the Northwoods League playoffs, Eau Claire and St. Cloud moved on in the North Division, while Wisconsin Rapids and Battle Creek both advanced in the South. Mankato, Willmar, Lakeshore and Madison were all eliminated on Monday night.
Eau Claire 5, Mankato 1
The Eau Claire Express led from start to finish in a 5-1 victory over the Mankato MoonDogs at home on Monday night. Eau Claire scored its first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning. Mankato tied the game in the top of the fifth, but the Express rallied for three in the bottom half of the inning. Eau Claire added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth for the final score of the game. Eau Claire's starting pitcher Caleb Boushley (UW-La Crosse) had a dominating performance on the mound. The righthander threw 7 1/3 innings and allowed one run on four hits and zero walks with five strikeouts to pick up the win.
St. Cloud 2, Willmar 1
The St. Cloud Rox defeated the Willmar Stingers in a pitcher's duel 2-1 on Monday night at home. Designated hitter Webb Bobo (Southeastern Louisiana) hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning. Willmar scored one in the top of the fourth for its lone run of the game. St. Cloud's Logan Salow (University of Kentucky) threw six innings and gave up one run on five hits and one walk with nine strikeouts to earn the victory. Willmar's Corey Binger (Nebraska Omaha) threw a complete game with eight innings pitched, and he allowed two runs on six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in a loss.
Wisconsin Rapids 19, Lakeshore 3
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters dominated the Lakeshore Chinooks 19-3 at home on Monday night. Wisconsin Rapids scored nine runs in the bottom of the first inning and added six more in the second to take an early 15-0 lead. The Rafters finished with 19 hits in the game, and three players on their lineup finished with at least a RBI. Leftfielder Rob Calabrese (Illinois-Chicago) hit 4-for-4 with four RBI, two runs scored and a walk with a home run. Joe Wainhouse (Washington) finished 2-for-6 with four RBI and one run scored, and Andrew Turner (LIU-Brooklyn) hit 2-for-3 with five RBI and three runs scored, including a grand slam.
Battle Creek 9, Madison 8
The Battle Creek Bombers held a 9-5 advantage after six innings and survived a late rally to beat the Madison Mallards 9-8 on the road Monday night. Madison scored one run in the seventh to cut the lead to three, and the Mallards scored two more in the ninth on a home run from Cameron Frost (Washington State) to make the score 9-8. Later in the inning, Madison put runners at first and second with one out and loaded the bases with two outs but failed to score. Battle Creek's shortstop Cooper Marshall (Kellogg) finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored.
Tuesday's Schedule
Eau Claire @ St. Cloud (7:05 PM)
Battle Creek @ Wisconsin Rapids (7:05 PM)
