Friday’s slate was highlighted by a walk-off home run from Carter Kutz to lift the Lakeshore Chinooks. The St. Cloud Rox cruising to a 13–2 win, the Wausau Woodchucks blanking the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 10–0, and the Green Bay Rockers rolling past the Madison Mallards 10–2. The night also delivered plenty of drama, including a walk-off victory by the Thunder Bay Border Cats in 10 innings, and a pair of tightly contested one-run games won by the La Crosse Loggers and Richmond Flying Mummies.
Kalamazoo 3, Battle Creek 2
The Growlers rallied from an early deficit with a three-run seventh inning and held on for a 3–2 victory over the Battle Jacks. Nicholas Frontino (Mississippi State University) led Kalamazoo offensively, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. For Battle Creek, Christian Lopez (Cal State Bakersfield) went 3-for-4, while Sonnier Moses (Prairie View A&M University) finished 1-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. AJ Lucas (Moberly Area CC) added an RBI, going 1-for-4. Ian Junkin (Truman State University) turned in a dominant start for the Battle Jacks, tossing five scoreless innings with five strikeouts while allowing just three hits and one walk. JJ Manion (Grand Valley State University) matched him for the Growlers, striking out 10 over six innings while surrendering one run on seven hits. Hunter Pudio (Jacksonville State University) earned the win with 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings, striking out two and allowing two walks. Peyton Williams (Kent State University) picked up the save, throwing 1.2 innings with two strikeouts while allowing one run on one hit and one walk.
Royal Oak 10, Traverse City 7
The Leprechauns built a commanding lead with an eight-run third inning and held off a late rally from the Pit Spitters to secure a 10–7 victory. Oliver Service (Marshall University) went 2-for-5 with a triple and a double, driving in two runs and scoring once. Nolan Alvord (Grand Valley State University) paced the offense with a 4-for-5 performance that included a double, one RBI, one run scored, and a stolen base. Patrick Ilitch (Villanova University) finished 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, scored once, and stole a base, while Luke Kosko (University of Cincinnati) went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored, and two stolen bases. For Traverse City, Caleb Mallory (Glen Oaks CC) provided the big blow with a grand slam. On the mound, Blake Ilitch (University of Mississippi) earned the win with five scoreless and hitless innings, striking out four while allowing two walks. Nick Stempnik (Macomb CC) added a strong relief appearance, striking out three over one scoreless inning while allowing one hit, and Kellen English (Indiana University) closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning, recording one strikeout to earn the save.
Battle Creek 6, Kalamazoo 2
The Battle Jacks capitalized on five Growlers errors and pulled away for a 6–2 victory over Kalamazoo. Jake Stedman (Moberly Area CC) went 2-for-5 with one RBI, one run scored, and a stolen base. AJ Lucas (Moberly Area CC) finished 2-for-4 with a double, recording one RBI and one run scored, while Owen Larrigan (Columbia College) went 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored. Thomas Cooper (Valparaiso University (IN)) added a triple, going 1-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. On the mound, Connor Williar (Stony Brook University) earned the win after tossing six innings, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out two.
Thunder Bay 2, Eau Claire 1
The Border Cats walked off the Express 2–1 in 10 innings in a tightly contested pitchers’ duel. Alex Kean (Morehead State University (KY)) delivered the game-winning hit, finishing 1-for-4, while Manny Alberto (Western Kentucky University) went 2-for-3 with a double, driving in one run and scoring once. Dylan Snead (Ottawa University (KS)) wreaked havoc on the bases, swiping three bags. On the mound, Anthony Unga (Creighton University (NE)) earned the win with three strong innings, striking out four while allowing just one hit and one walk with no earned runs. Makaio Cisneros (Florida Atlantic University) set the tone with a dominant start, tossing four scoreless innings with six strikeouts while allowing two hits and three walks. Judd Hildreth (Murray State University (KY)) also turned in a stellar outing, throwing two scoreless and hitless innings with four strikeouts and two walks.
La Crosse 5, Duluth 4
The Loggers jumped out to an early lead and held off a late Huskies rally to secure a 5–4 victory. Maxwell Kalk (Ball State University) went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs, while Eli Small (Florida Atlantic University) paced the offense with a 4-for-5 performance, scoring twice and stealing a base. Joey Senstock (University of Nebraska) finished 1-for-3 with a double, one RBI, and one run scored, while Jayden Garrison (University of San Francisco) went 2-for-5 with one run scored and two stolen bases. For Duluth, Anthony Cepeda (Wichita State University) went 1-for-3 with three RBIs and a stolen base, while Anthony Zarzana (Wallace Dothan) finished 1-for-2 with two runs scored and one RBI. On the mound, Donovan Becerra (Texas Tech University) earned the win after throwing four innings, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four. Dalton Smith (University of Kansas) picked up the save with a scoreless inning, striking out two and issuing two walks. Cristien Banda (Long Beach State) also turned in a strong relief appearance, striking out two in a perfect inning.
Wausau 10, Wisconsin Rapids 0
Lakeshore 6, Fond du Lac 5
Green Bay 10, Madison 2
The Rockers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, rolling past the Mallards 10–2. Seungmin Shin (New Mexico Military CC) provided the big blow, going 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, finishing with four RBIs and two runs scored. Eli Selga (Golden West CC) went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, recording two RBIs and two runs scored, while Aidan Kuni (University of New Mexico) finished 1-for-2 with one RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. For Madison, Jonah Weathers (University of Louisville) went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and scored both of the Mallards’ runs. On the mound, Henry Irwin (Modesto CC) earned the win after striking out seven over three innings, allowing just one hit, one run, and two walks. KJ Ward (Park University-Gilbert) slammed the door with a perfect inning, striking out all three batters he faced to close out the game.
Richmond 6, Kenosha 5
The Flying Mummies used a five-run fourth inning to build a lead and held off a late Kingfish rally to secure a 6–5 victory. Prince Deboskie (University of Akron) went 1-for-3 with a two-run triple, scored once, and stole a base. Jimmy Chadwell (Columbia University) finished 2-for-3 with one RBI, one run scored, and a stolen base, while Trenton Lombardo (University of Evansville) went 1-for-2 and drove in two runs. For Kenosha, Ethan Moore (University of Tennessee) went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, while CJ Deckinga (Michigan State University) finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs. On the mound, Casey Blevins (Earlham College) earned the win after throwing three innings, allowing four runs on two hits and five walks while striking out two. Jacob Bardwell (University of St. Francis (IN)) picked up the save with a scoreless and hitless inning, striking out three of the four batters he faced and issuing one walk.
Rochester 6, Minot 5
The Honkers used a three-run fifth inning to take control and held off a late Hot Tots rally for a 6–5 victory. Jackson Glueck (University of New Mexico) led the way offensively, going 2-for-4 with a two-run home run. Cameron Sewell (Sacramento State University) went 1-for-2 with a solo homer, while Seth Thompson (Creighton University) also left the yard, finishing 1-for-4 with a solo home run. Jackson Norum (University of California) added a 2-for-4 performance with one RBI. For Minot, Tyler Arnold (Hawaii Pacific University) drove in two runs. On the mound, Cooper Annin (Butler CC) earned the win after tossing five innings, striking out four while allowing just two hits, two walks, and no earned runs. Jack Gallison (Saddleback CC) turned in a strong relief appearance with three scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out three. Trent Adrian (South Florida State CC) closed out the victory to earn the save.
Mankato 4, Willmar 1
The MoonDogs scored in each of the first two innings and added two more in the fourth to secure a 4–1 victory over the Stingers. Liam Ebbs (Lafayette College) drove in two runs and added a stolen base, while Max Senesac (Golden West) went 1-for-2, scored once, and swiped a bag. Charlie Buckles (Florida State University) finished 2-for-4 with a double. For Willmar, Brooks Wright (Southeastern Louisiana University) paced the offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI, and a stolen base. On the mound, Krish Gandhi (Belmont University) earned the win after throwing five innings, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three. Noah Redmon (Indiana Tech) picked up the save with four scoreless innings, striking out six while allowing three hits.
Waterloo 7, Rockford 2
The Bucks used a three-run fifth inning and added two more in the eighth to pull away for a 7–2 victory over the Rivets. Collin Brightwell (Vanderbilt University) went 1-for-3, scoring twice while recording two RBIs and two stolen bases. Zach Davis (University of Louisville) finished 2-for-3 with one run scored and two stolen bases, while MJ Sweeney (Wichita State University) went 3-for-5 with a double, one RBI, and one run scored. Cole Patterson (American International College) added a 2-for-3 performance that included a double, one RBI, and one run scored, and Caleb Parker (UW-Platteville) went 3-for-5 with a run scored. For Rockford, Coby Neville (Paradise Valley CC) provided the offense, going 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs. On the mound, Tanner Simmons (University of Dubuque) earned the win after tossing 4.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out seven.
St. Cloud 13, Bismarck 2
The Rox broke open a scoreless game with a five-run fifth inning and never looked back, cruising to a 13–2 victory over the Larks. Cal Schmelzle (Augustana University) went 2-for-5 with a double, finishing with four RBIs and two runs scored. Carter Heinsch (Augustana University) scored three times, drove in a run, and stole a base while going 1-for-3. Carter Jorissen (Cal State Bakersfield) finished 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and one run scored, while Jackson Akin (University of Minnesota) went 1-for-3 with one RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. On the mound, Isaiah Salas (University of Missouri) earned the win after throwing two scoreless and hitless innings, striking out four of the eight batters he faced while allowing two walks. Addison Walker (Salt Lake CC) closed out the game in dominant fashion, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect inning.
Saturday’s Schedule
Madison @ Green Bay (1:05 PM CT)
Fond du Lac @ Lakeshore (5:05 PM CT)
Wisconsin Rapids @ Wausau (5:05 PM CT)
La Crosse @ Duluth (5:35 PM CT)
Traverse City @ Royal Oak (6:35 PM ET)
Eau Claire @ Thunder Bay (6:35 PM ET)
Bismarck @ St. Cloud (6:05 PM CT)
Kalamazoo @ Battle Creek (7:05 PM ET)
Richmond @ Kenosha (6:35 PM CT)
Minot @ Rochester (6:35 PM CT)
Waterloo @ Rockford (6:35 PM CT)
Mankato @ Willmar (7:05 PM CT)