June 2010
August 2009
Robertson Leads Honkers To Title
The Honkers turned to their ace, Zach Robertson (Iowa), even though he was pitching on just three days of rest. Fatigue appeared to be bothering him early, as he looked anything but his usual dominant self for the first three innings. He struggled with command, and had to pitch out of jams in each of the first two frames. But the Loggers got on the board in the third inning, and took a 1-0 lead on a deep RBI double off the bat of Robert Brantly (UC-Riverside). But the blow seemed to wake Robertson up, and he was an unstoppable force after that. He retired the final ten men he faced as he shut down La Crosse through the sixth. He earned the win by pitching six innings and allowing just one run on three hits.
Robertson Leads Honkers To Title
The Honkers turned to their ace, Zach Robertson (Iowa), even though he was pitching on just three days of rest. Fatigue appeared to be bothering him early, as he looked anything but his usual dominant self for the first three innings. He struggled with command, and had to pitch out of jams in each of the first two frames. But the Loggers got on the board in the third inning, and took a 1-0 lead on a deep RBI double off the bat of Robert Brantly (UC-Riverside). But the blow seemed to wake Robertson up, and he was an unstoppable force after that. He retired the final ten men he faced as he shut down La Crosse through the sixth. He earned the win by pitching six innings and allowing just one run on three hits.
Gruver Keeps Loggers Hopes Alive
Stephen Gruver (Tennessee) kept the Loggers championship hopes alive with 4.1 excellent innings of relief to earn the win and send the NWL Championship Series back to Rochester. Gruver came on in the 5th inning and finished the game, stranding the tying and winning runs in scoring position by striking out Chris Auten (New Mexico St.) for the final out. The Loggers All-Star left-hander allowed just two runs on four hits and did not walk a batter while striking out five.
Mitchell Gives Honkers Solid Start
Bret Mitchell (Minnesota State Mankato) pitched seven excellent innings to earn the win in front of a Honkers playoff record crowd of 1,053. Mitchell allowed just one run on five hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked just one.
Robertson Baffles MoonDogs
Northwoods League strikeout king Zach Robertson (Iowa) baffled the MoonDogs by throwing seven scoreless innings. He allowed no runs on five hits while whiffing 11 MoonDog batters to lead the Honkers to a 2-0 sweep in the North Division playoffs.
Gagnon Great In Game One For Honkers
Drew Gagnon (Long Beach St.) was brilliant, and no-hit Mankato into the fifth inning. He issued a two-out walk to Taylor Black (Kentucky), and Black stole second before taking third on a passed ball. Xorge Carillo (Arizona State) singled him home to break up the no-hitter and put Mankato on the board with an unearned run and make the score 2-1. But Gagnon would get the third out and turn in a solid sixth to finish his night with just one hit allowed and one unearned run in six innings while striking out seven.
Lidke Limits Bucks
Kenny Lidke (Augustana) did what he could in trying to send the Eau Claire Express into the playoffs on a winning note. He held Waterloo to one unearned run in seven innings while striking out four. He allowed three hits and walked two. Waterloo scored six runs off the Eau Claire bullpen in the final two innings for a 7-6 comeback victory.
Anderson Ends Mallards Playoff With Shutout
Dixon Anderson tossed a complete game shutout and the Green Bay offense capitalized on several Madison miscues in a 5-0 win on Sunday afternoon inside Warner Park. Anderson (California) was in absolute control as he threw a variety of fastballs, changeups, and off speed pitches to earn second straight win as a starter and third consecutive on the hill. In just his fifth start on the hill, Madison (18-14, 37-29) was unable to figure him out as he recorded seven 1-2-3 innings. Anderson struck the mid-90s on the radar gun near the end of the contest as he fanned seven batters, walked one, and scattered five hits. Green Bay (16-17, 30-36) also earned its fifth shutout win of the season.
Anderson Ends Mallards Playoff With Shutout
Dixon Anderson tossed a complete game shutout and the Green Bay offense capitalized on several Madison miscues in a 5-0 win on Sunday afternoon inside Warner Park. Anderson (California) was in absolute control as he threw a variety of fastballs, changeups, and off speed pitches to earn second straight win as a starter and third consecutive on the hill. In just his fifth start on the hill, Madison (18-14, 37-29) was unable to figure him out as he recorded seven 1-2-3 innings. Anderson struck the mid-90s on the radar gun near the end of the contest as he fanned seven batters, walked one, and scattered five hits. Green Bay (16-17, 30-36) also earned its fifth shutout win of the season.
Handley, Mower Dominant Saturday
Both Alexandria's Mitch Handley (North Alabama) and Thunder Bay's Randy Mower (St. Joseph's) were dominant Saturday pitching complete-game shutouts. Handley (pictured) blanked Brainerd Lakes Area 5-0 on three hits, two walks and five strikeouts. Mower allowed four hits and no walks while striking out one in his 6-0 masterpiece at Duluth.
