Rogers converts with bases loaded in ninth
Wyatt Kopelman – wmk23@miami.edu
Duluth, Minn. – The Duluth Huskies managed one RBI hit through 8 ½ innings.
Then, with the bases loaded in the ninth, center fielder JD Rogers provided the biggest spark. The Vanderbilt product hit a sacrifice fly, lifting Duluth over St. Cloud, 2-1, on a cloudy Saturday afternoon at Wade Stadium.
Rogers’ game-winning RBI marked Duluth’s fourth straight win and third walk-off win of the year.
Duluth trailed by one run after 6 ½ innings, until third baseman Jonathan Vastine collected a one-out RBI base hit, leveling contest at one run apiece.
Reaching scoring position in each of the first four innings, the Huskies (7-8) remained scoreless before eight straight batters were retired.
In his third start of the season, Huskies right-handed starter Jake Combs held St. Cloud to one run on three hits and four walks. Combs also collected four strikeouts, stranding two runners in scoring position in the sixth.
St. Cloud left fielder Ethan Mann snapped a scoreless contest in the sixth inning, scoring on a wild pitch with one out. Right fielder Carson Keithley totaled three hits as part of the St. Cloud’s six, meanwhile.
In the eighth, the Rox (10-5) threatened with a one-out double. Left-handed reliever Manny Casillas, however, retired the next two batters.
Right-handed pitcher Dylan Hill filled Casillas in the ninth and worked around a one-out walk and a single to right field.
Duluth garnered its first home victory against St. Cloud this season, ending a three-game skid.
Rox right-handed reliever Jonathan Martinez (1-2) was charged with the loss, while Hill (1-0) was awarded the win. St. Cloud starter Joe Brandon dealt a season-high six innings to keep Duluth scoreless on five hits.
With the win, the Huskies will attempt their first series sweep over the Rox this season on Sunday at Wade Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.
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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’ 28th 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 280 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 (NYM), 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 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. 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.
