July 2009
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.
Bremer Tosses 11th No-Hitter In NWL History
Tyler Bremer (UC Davis) pitched the first no-hitter in Eau Claire Express history as the Express defeated the Battle Creek Bombers 4-0 Thursday night. Bremer was nothing short of phenomenal Thursday night. He struggled a bit early as he threw six straight balls to start the game, walking two in the first inning. He would settle down after that, not allowing a base-runner for the next six innings. He hit the lead-off batter in the eighth but sat down the next three hitters. The crowd of 1659 fans cheered as Bremer took the mound for the ninth inning and they grew louder with every pitch. Bremer struck out the side in the ninth inning to complete the 11th no-hitter in NWL history. He finished with just the two first inning walks and struck out 8.
Demmin Tosses Complete Game 3 Hitter
Ryan Demmin (UW-Oshkosh) lived up to his all-star billing allowing just a single unearned run in the first inning and striking out a season-high eight batters for the Mankato MoonDogs in a 2-1 win over Duluth. After the first inning Demmin faced just four batters over the minimum and allowed two hits in earning his fifth win (5-3) of the year while lowering his ERA on the summer to 1.19.
Jung Picks Up Where He Left Off
Mankato's Adam Jung (South Alabama) moved to 3-0 on the year by pitching the last three innings of the suspended June 21st game between the MoonDogs and Duluth. Jung pitched seven innings total in the game, allowing just two hits and striking out five without allowing a run. Mankato won the game in the 14th inning.
O’Grady Lowers League Leading ERA To 1.02
Dennis O'Grady (Duke) threw his second gem against the Duluth Huskies this season, and helped lead the Lunkers over their North Division foe, 2-1 at Mills Field. The Lunkers have now won their last four in a row, which ties a season high. O'Grady shined over eight innings of work. He retired Duluth in order in six of his eight innings, struck out six, and allowed a measly three hits. Not a single Husky base runner advanced past second on his watch. O'Grady has now won the NWL Pitcher of the Night Award three times and the Players of the Night Award once. His league leading ERA stands at 1.02.