The Huskies separate themselves from two division rivals and inch closer toward a playoff berth
Adam Cohen, cohena@allegheny.edu
Duluth, Minn. – Phenomenal relief pitching and capitalization of the La Crosse Loggers’ (24-36) six errors provided the Duluth Huskies (25-35) with a much needed 4-3 win.
The Huskies once again proved to be the comeback warriors in another instant classic at Wade Stadium. Starter Cameron Pool struggled out of the gate and gave up a two-run single to Kyle Casper in the top of the first. Two innings later, the Loggers tacked on another run thanks to an RBI groundout from Chase Davis, yet Pool still kept the Huskies in the game. Although the lefty from Murray State College gave up four walks and one hit by pitch, he was able to strand eight Loggers runners on the basepaths in five innings of work.
The Huskies’ offense showed grit by cashing in on the Loggers’ poor defense and lack of command. The Huskies got on the board in the third after Ambren Voitik reached on an error and Michael Brooks moved him to second on a single. The Huskies 2021 RBI leader in Mike Boeve then knocked in his two teammates with a two-run double.
In the fifth, Brooks led off the frame with a hit by pitch before stealing second and third (the latter which came on an unsuccessful double steal attempt). Nevertheless, Brooks put himself into scoring position and Calyn Halvorson drove him in with a single to knot the game at three apiece.
Field Manager Marcus Pointer decided to move Voitik up to the leadoff spot and his decision especially paid off in the sixth; Voitik delivered the go-ahead run with an RBI fielder’s choice that gave the Huskies a 4-3 lead.
However, the offense was able to muster enough runs because of a lights-out bullpen. Richard Kiel, Michael Sarhatt, and Ethan Hammerberg combined for four scoreless innings. Hammerberg shut the door with his third save of the season. He worked around a leadoff double from Kevin Sim that was hit off the face of the right field wall to squeak out a curly W.
The Huskies’ victory moves them one game ahead of the Loggers and the Eau Claire Express in terms of their overall record. Although the Waterloo Bucks maintained their 1.5 game lead over Duluth with a win, the Huskies now are two games ahead of the Express and the Loggers in the second half.
The win was essential for Duluth to pick up ground especially with the Loggers set to play the Mudpuppies, who have the worst record in the Northwoods League. Additionally, the Huskies will face off against a Great Plains nemesis in the St. Cloud Rox, who are 6-0 against the Huskies this season. The Rox travel into Duluth tomorrow for a decisive two-game series starting at 3:05 PM.
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The Duluth Huskies are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 250 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.duluthhuskies.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Huskies as your favorite team.