Mettam’s double secures back-to-back walk-off wins
Wyatt Kopelman – wmk23@miami.edu
Duluth, Minn. – For the second straight game, the Duluth Huskies held the game-winning runner in scoring position in the ninth.
Then second baseman Jared Mettam took full control.
Mettam hit a walk-off double to deep left field for his eighth RBI in three games, clinching Duluth’s dramatic 6-5 victory over the St. Cloud Rox on Sunday afternoon at Wade Stadium.
The Huskies swept the Rox for the first time this season, extending their winning streak to five games for the most in the Northwoods League.
Trailing by two runs in the ninth, Duluth (8-8) found a near-immediate spark.
First baseman Eddie Satisky drove in the tying run on a two-out infield single. Shortstop Kristian Campbell tacked on a second straight base hit to set up the Huskies’ fourth walk-off win of the season.
Finding momentum in the fifth, the Huskies scrapped for two runs despite trailing by four.
Following a leadoff triple from shortstop Devin Hurdle, center fielder Cam Frederick scored from second base on a throwing error. Catcher Eduardo Rosario filled the two-run inning with a one-run single, slicing the Duluth deficit to two.
But St. Cloud (10-6) didn’t hold back in the second, surging ahead with five runs.
Left fielder Ethan Mann hit a solo home run, followed by four RBI base hits, including a double from designated hitter John Nett.
The Rox never scored again, nonetheless.
Right-handed reliever Nolan Lebamoff (4-1) was credited with the win, while right-hander Chase Grillo (1-1) was tagged with the loss. The Washington State product retained a team-most 12 saves, including two versus the Huskies beforehand.
Given the series sweep, the Huskies will attempt a sixth straight win on Monday against St. Cloud at Joe Faber Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 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.