Duluth exploded on Rochester for its fifth straight win and now leads the second half standings by one game while leading overall by 2.5. Kenosha leads the second half south by 1.5 games while Madison is holding steady at a four game lead in the overall standings.
Rochester 1, Duluth 20
The Duluth Huskies scored early and often and defeated the Rochester Honkers 20-1. Duluth put up three in the opening inning which included a two-run single by Hunter Bigge (Harvard). The Huskies got another two in the second and then five in the third as Sean Watkins (Cal State LA) hit a two-run shot. The only Honkers run came when Logan Denholm (UC Davis) hit a solo shot in the fifth. Duluth put up eight in the bottom half which was powered by Christian Jones (Washington) hitting a grand slam. The Huskies got two in the eighth while Jack Corbell (Miami (OH)) threw five in the start and picked up his second win.
Wisconsin Rapids 2, Rockford 3 (12 Innings)
The Rockford Rivets walked it off in the 12th inning and defeated the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 3-2. Dustin Woodcock (SIUE) put Rapids on the board in the opening inning on an RBI single. The Rivets got one in the third from an RBI double by Parker Bates (Louisiana Tech). They took the lead in the fourth when Kian O’Brien (Kent State) hit an RBI double. Rapids tied it up again in the sixth on an RBI single by Ethan Stringer (Louisville). The game went to extra innings, the Rivets bullpen threw the final five scoreless and O’Brien delivered a walk-off home run in the 12th inning.
Thunder Bay 6, Eau Claire 10
The Eau Claire Express used a big third inning and defeated the Thunder Bay Border Cats 10-6. The Express went off for six in the third as Nick Brueser (Stanford) and Phillip Sikes (New Mexico) hit consecutive multi base-knocks. Eau Claire got another two in the fourth when Cody Milligan (Oklahoma State) hit a two-RBI double. Thunder Bay managed three in the sixth as Brandon Trammell (Tennessee) knocked in two from a single. The Cats got another two in the seventh from an error and wild pitch. The Express got two back in the bottom half from Noah Sifrit (Oklahoma State) hitting a single. The Border Cats put up one in the ninth, but the next guy grounded out to end the game.
Madison 14, Fond du Lac 2
The Madison Mallards used a big seventh inning and defeated the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders 14-2. Jesse Forestell (Western Michigan) hit an RBI single to put the Mallards on the board. Madison added another fourth, but Fondy got its first in the bottom half with an RBI single by Andrew Bullock (Western Carolina). The Mallards put up three in the fifth as David Vinsky (Northwood) knocked in two from a single. The Siders added one more in the bottom half, but the Mallards got one in the sixth. Madison then exploded for eight in the seventh. Justice Bigbie (Western Carolina) knocked in two from a single and Vinsky managed another while Fondy was sent down in the next two innings to end the game.
Battle Creek 9, Lakeshore 0
The Battle Creek Bombers used the middle innings to build a lead and defeat the Lakeshore Chinooks 9-0. Jordan Rhodes (McDaniel) threw seven for the Bombers, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out six. Drake Osborn (Texas A&M-CC) started the scoring for Battle Creek in a five-run fifth from an RBI double. Battle Creek tacked on three more in the sixth. Another one scored in the final two innings on the fourth Bombers triple of the game by Connor Bailey (Williamette) as that went on to be the final score.
Willmar 9, Mankato 5
The Willmar Stingers used a big fourth to build a lead and defeated the Mankato MoonDogs 9-5. The Stingers scored first in the opening inning on an RBI ground out. Willmar got two more in the third as Eli Wilson (Minnesota) hit an RBI single. The Stingers came up with six in the fourth. There were four RBI singles including Wilson knocking in another. The Dogs did managed five in the bottom half as CJ Huntley (Indiana State) started it all with a two-run single, but five in relief to end the game.
Wisconsin 2, Kalamazoo 6
The Kalamazoo Growlers prevented a late rally from the Wisconsin Woodchucks and won the game 6-2. Sam Crail (Indiana) led off the fourth with a homer for Kalamazoo as they got another from a single. The Growlers got four more in the seventh on a bases loaded walk, error and a two-run single by Ivan Johnson (Georgia). Adam Wheaton (Trine) threw 6.2 scoreless for Kalamazoo and allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out three for his third win. Zach DeLoach (Texas A&M) hit a two-RBI double for the Chucks in the ninth, but the side was retired to end the game.
Waterloo 4, Bismarck 8
The Bismarck Larks used the middle innings to build a lead and defeat the Waterloo Bucks 8-4. The Larks got four in the fourth which was capped off by Carson Bartels (St. Johns) cleared the bases from a double. Bismarck got four in the next inning as Kyle Stevens (Linderwood) started it all from an RBI double. The Bucks got its first on an error in the seventh. Waterloo then fought for three in the ninth inning, but after a walk, the final guy grounded out to end the game.
Kenosha 1, Green Bay 3
The Green Bay Bullfrogs used a big third inning to build a lead and defeat the Kenosha Kingfish 3-1. The Frogs got a pair in the third on a two-RBI single by Riley Mihalik (Rider). Both teams traded runs in the eighth, but no one else scored. Jason Applegate (Villanova) threw seven innings, allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out two for his third win. Ben Keizer (Michigan) then threw the final two, struck out two and picked up his first save.
La Crosse 1, St. Cloud 5
The St. Cloud Rox allowed the La Crosse Loggers to score in just one inning and won the game 5-1. The Loggers only run came in the opening inning when Mike Rothenberg (Duke) hit a single. The Rox then tied it in the second and then took the lead in the fourth from an RBI single by Marshall Gilbert (Mississippi State). St. Cloud put up another pair in the sixth including another RBI base-knock from Gilbert. The Rox got an unearned run on a wild pitch in the seventh while the bullpen threw the final 2.1 scoreless to end the game.
Schedule for July 31:
Wisconsin @ Kalamazoo (11:05 PM)
Wisconsin Rapids @ Rockford (6:35 PM)
Rochester @ Duluth (6:35 PM)
Thunder Bay @ Eau Claire (6:35 PM)
Battle Creek @ Lakeshore (6:35 PM)
La Crosse @ St. Cloud (7:05 PM)
Fond du Lac @ Madison (7:05 PM)
Waterloo @ Bismarck (7:05 PM)
Willmar @ Mankato (7:05 PM)
Kenosha @ Green Bay (7:05 PM)