July 2009
Brebia Quiets ‘Cats In Extra Innings
John Brebbia (Elon) entered the game in the 10th inning after the Thunder Bay Border Cats had just re-tied the game at 5. He would strike out the first two batters he faced and retire the third on a ground ball. He then pitched a perfect bottom of the 11th after Mankato scored three runs to earn the victory for his two perfect innings of relief. Brebia recorded three strikeouts.
Castillo Flirts With No-No For Thunder Bay
Luis Castillo (Bellevue) came within three outs of the fifth no hitter in the league this season as Thunder Bay blanked Mankato 2-0. Castillo (3-2), had allowed only two base runners on a pair of errors when he gave up an infield single to pinch hitter Nick Judkins (Iowa Central CC) leading off the ninth. The righthander from Burlington, Ontario gave up a second hit and left the game going eight plus innings, allowing two hits, with no walks and twelve strikeouts.
Campbell Pulls Double Duty For Express
In the first game of the day-night doubleheader between the Eau Claire Express and Green Bay Bullfrogs Ian Campbell (Yavapai) pitched two innings and allowed only one run in the Eau Claire loss. But his most important outing came in the nightcap. Campbell came in facing a 4-2 deficit and needed to keep the game close. Campbell did just that as he pitched three scoreless innings to give the Express a chance. The Express scored one run in the fifth and two in the sixth and they took the lead 5-4 to give Campbell and the Express the win. For the day Campbell finished with 5 innings pitched, one run, three hits, one walk and 5 strikeouts.
Fyffe Battles Rain, Border Cats In Complete Game Win
In a game that was delayed three hours to start and included a ninth inning downpour Alexandria starter Matt Fyffe (Eastern Kentucky) went the distance, allowing just a single run. Fyffe struck out pinch hitter Adam Courcha (New Mexico) with the tying run at second base to end the game and preserve a 2-1 victory for Alexandria. Fyffe struck out 12 and did not walk a single batter while giving up 8 hits. He improved his record to 2-3.
Griffin Throws First No-Hitter In MoonDogs History
Tim Griffin (Rollins) completed the first no-hitter in Mankato MoonDogs history. Griffin struck out 10 batters to record the milestone no-no, the fourth in the Northwoods League this season, as he led the MoonDogs to a 6-0 victory over the St. Cloud River Bats at Franklin Rogers Park Monday night. Griffin, an All-Star this season, faced the minimum in five innings, and did not allow a runner past second base. All of his strikeouts were of the swinging variety, as he recorded two Ks in four separate innings.
Petricka Extremely Efficient In MoonDogs Win
Jake Petricka (Indiana St.) threw eight strong innings to give the MoonDogs a 6-1 win over the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers at Stewart C. Mills Field. Petricka (2-2) had his best outing of the year, allowing just five hits and one earned run in eight innings of work. He threw just 83 pitches and struck out two on the afternoon. He recorded 16 ground ball outs.
Jansen K’s 11 Bucks, Mallards Win In Extras
Despite not receiving a win for his efforts the performance by Madison's starting pitcher Matt Jansen (Purdue) shouldn't be overlooked. Jansen was extremely sharp throughout in throwing 7.1 innings while only allowing one run to lower his ERA to 2.62. He also struck out a season-high 11 batters in the no-decision. The Mallards were victorious 4-1 over Waterloo in 10 innings.
Johnson Shuts Down Huskies
The Duluth Huskies were shutdown by Alexandria’s starting pitcher Erik Johnson (Cal-Berkeley) who threw 7 innings giving up 0 runs on 6 hits. He walked just one and struck out three to improve to 3-1 on the year.
Butt Goes Distance; Blanks Mallards
Wisconsin starter Bryce Butt (Ohio) went the distance in a complete game shutout, scattering just four hits while striking out three and walking two. The Woodchucks were victorius 6-0 over the Madison Mallards in front of 6,773 fans at Warner Park.
Drobnick Throws 3 Shutout Innings Of Relief For W
Anthony Drobnick (Washington State) picked up the victory in three innings of shutout relief for the Wisconsin Woodchucks in a 5-4 victory over Green Bay. Drobnick allowed just one hit and struck out four over the final three innings to set the stage for the 'Chucks to score the game winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
Handley Wins Duel Of All-Stars
Alexandria's Mitch Handley (North Alabama) and Battle Creek's Matt Talley (The Citadel), both heading to the All-Star game, tossed gems Saturday night. Both went the distance. Both didn't allow an earned run. But only one could win. And, for the first time in over a month, it was Handley, getting just one run of support, coming out victorious. The junior didn't allow a hit past the sixth inning, and racked up four strikeouts while walking only one. His counterpart Talley, was just as impressive, fanning five in eight innings of work.
Gumieny Dazzles Loggers in Shutout Victory
Kyle Gumieny (Southeast Missouri State) tossed a complete game, two-hit, shutout to carry the Wisconsin Woodchucks past the La Crosse Loggers, 7-0. The game was scoreless until Wisconsin exploded for seven runs in the seventh inning. Gumieny then finished off the night with a scoreless eigth and ninth innings. He allowed just the two hits, walked four and struck out six.