For the first day of Northwoods League playoff games the Growlers, Stingers, Rafters and Huskies stay alive to stay in the win column. With close scoring games each team that had victories rallied back after being behind. In the best of 3 series, the teams with a loss will have to win tomorrow to stay alive.
Kalamazoo Growlers 5, Traverse City Pit Spitters 4
The Kalamazoo Growlers won their fifth game in a row as they defeated the Traverse City Pit Spitters 5-4. The Growlers rallied back with a home run by Anthony Stephan (University of Virginia) putting his team ahead. Stephan had one hit with three RBI on the night. Myles Beale (Northwood University) also had a home run going three for three with one walk. Zach Spradlin (Ottawa University) had a double with a walk scoring three times. Dylan Freeman (University of Montevallo) started the game throwing five innings with five strikeouts. Brody Ware (Kent State University) came into the game to throw the next three innings with two strikeouts allowing zero runs to score.
Willmar Stingers 6, St.Cloud Rox 5
The Willmar Stingers continue their success to defeat the St.Cloud Rox 6-5. Grayson Tarlow (California State University, Northridge) led the team going two for two with a double for his first at bat. Tarlow also had two walks with a stolen base driving in one run. Drey Dirksen (Augustana University) hit the teams only triple of the night with a walk and two RBI. Down by one run in the bottom of the third inning Nick Terrell (Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville) blasted a lead off home run to tie the game. Tucker Novotny (University of Minnesota) earned the win on the mound throwing the last four scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 6, Wausau Woodchucks 3
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters rallied back to take down the Wausau Woodchucks 6-3. Garrett Broussard (Utah Valley University) drove in the first run of the game in the first inning with a single to right field. Broussard had two hits with one RBI on the night. Andrew Semo (University of San Diego) led the team with three hits including a home run on the top of the ninth inning to provide insurance runs for the Rafters. Colin Tuft (University of Virginia) contributed to the offense with two hits, a double, two RBI and a stolen base. Connor Kurki (Coastal Carolina University) earned the win on the mound throwing two innings with one strikeout. Preston Howey (Saint Mary’s College) closed the last inning with three strikeouts.
Duluth Huskies 8, Eau Claire Express 6
The Duluth Huskies defeated the Eau Claire Express 8-6. The Huskies scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game. Johnathan Vastine (Vanderbilt University) had the first hit for his team with a triple to right field. Vastine went three for five scoring twice as he reached base. Kristian Campbell (Georgia Tech) had two hits with a double, walk and two RBI. Jack Painter (California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) reached base three times with two hits and a walk scored once. Devin Dodson (University Colorado Colorado Springs) was the starting pitcher throwing four innings with five strikeouts. Isaiah Piscitello (Bryant & Stranton College) threw 1.1 innings with one strikeout to earn the win on the mound.
Monday’s Schedule:
Wausau @ Wisconsin (6:35pm)
Kalamazoo @ Traverse City (7:05pm)
Duluth @ Eau Claire (7:05pm)
Willmar @ St.Cloud (7:05pm)