Northwoods League
ASHWAUBENON, WI – More than two and a half hours into Saturday’s series finale in Ashwaubenon, the Wausau Woodchucks and Green Bay Rockers were right where they started.
But a ninth-inning rally produced the game’s only run and helped the Woodchucks (3-3) slip past the Rockers (1-5) 1-0 and earn their first series sweep of the season.
Jack Wenninger (Illinois) went toe to toe with Green Bay’s Justin Loer and neither starter surrendered a run.
Wenninger wriggled free of a bases-loaded jam in the third and completed four scoreless innings, tallying three strikeouts in his team debut.
He was relieved in the fifth inning by Carter Heninger (San Jose State), who thwarted Green Bay rallies the rest of the way. The hard-throwing righty struck out ten Rocker hitters, saving his best pitches for big moments to escape jams.
In total, Green Bay left nine men on base Saturday evening, going 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
While the Woodchucks opportunities were few and far between, they pounced when one presented itself in the ninth inning. Tre Hondras (John A. Logan) slapped a one-out base hit, extending his on-base streak to a perfect six for six. Lenny Ashby (New Mexico State) snuck a grounder down the third-base line, setting up a one-out scoring opportunity.
Camden Janik (Illinois) drove in Hondras with a groundout to short, proving to be the difference in the contest.
Heninger closed the door in the bottom of the inning, stranding the tying run at second base. With the win, Wausau has prevailed 3 times in a row and improved to .500 at 3-3.
Other NWL action from Saturday:
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 6, Lakeshore Chinooks 4
To win the series, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters beat the Lakeshore Chinooks 6-4. The Rafters struck first with a single to center field by Jacob Igawa (University of Hawaii) to score the first run of the game. Igawa went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI. Tied heading to the top of the ninth inning Brendan Bobo (California State University, Fullerton) blasted his second home run of the game to score the final two runs of the game.
Duluth Huskies 9, Willmar Stingers 5
The Duluth Huskies had an at home win with a victory over the Willmar Stingers 9-5. The Huskies struck first as Eduardo Noguera (University Nebraska Omaha) doubled to right field, scoring the first run of the game. Jd Rogers (Vanderbilt University) followed it up with another double in the 5th inning scoring their second run. Rogers led the team with 3 hits. The Huskies kept the bats hot as Noah Marcelo (Arizona Western College) crushed a grand slam in the bottom of the 6th inning. Harrison Kreiling had the win on the mound throwing seven innings with seven strikeouts.
Kenosha Kingfish 1, Kokomo Jackrabbits 0
The Kenosha Kingfish took the series against the Kokomo Jackrabbits 1-0. This game was a pitchers duel with Clark Candiotti (Wichita State University) on the mound for the Kingfish who threw 7 innings with 5 strikeouts and gave up only 2 hits. The Kingfish scored in the fourth inning with bases loaded with Antonio Brown (Mercer University) up to bat. Brown advanced to first on a walk, bringing in the only run of the game.
Kalamazoo Growlers 9, Rockford Rivets 8
The Kalamazoo Growlers sweep the Rockford Rivets with a win of 9-8. The Growlers generated 13 hits with Ryan Dykstra (Oakland University) going 4 for 4 with two doubles, two singles and an RBI. Down by eight runs going into the 5th inning the Growlers rallied back scoring in the rest of the innings except for the eighth. The Growlers walked the game off with a single by Lawson Knight (Western Texas College) to score Devin Obee (Duke University) in the bottom of the ninth.
Battle Creek Battle Jacks 6, Traverse City Pit Spitters 5
In an exciting extra inning game the Battle Creek Battle Jacks defeated the Traverse City Pit Spitters 6-5 to win the series. Going into the top of the 10th inning with a runner on second Billy Hancock (Mount Marty College) drove a triple to center field scoring the final run of the game. Hancock had two hits and two RBI. Bobby Nichols (Central Methodist University) also had two hits starting the first inning off with a single in the first and 6th innings.
Eau Claire Express 4, Waterloo Bucks 2
To win the series the Eau Claire rallied back to beat the Waterloo Bucks 4-2. Down 2-1 going into the bottom of the fifth the Express tied the game up with a triple by Max Coupe (Skyline College). To follow it up Ben Taxdahl (University of St. Thomas) drove a single to right field to score two more runs giving the Bucks a lead 4-2. Jack Brown (Minnesota State University, Mankato) had the win on the mound throwing 5 innings with three strikeouts.
Madison Mallards 7, Fond du Lac Dock Spiders 4
The Madison Mallards give the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders their first loss of the season with a score of 7-4. Payton Smith (Georgia Gwinnett College) led his team with 2 hits including a single, double and two RBI. Smith was a clutch hitter scoring the first run to get the rally going in the third inning and scored the final run in the ninth. Christian Rivera (Erskine College) also had two hits including a single, double and 1 RBI.
Bismarck Larks 11, Rochester Honkers 7
The Bismark won their third game of the season against the Rochester Honkers 11-7. The Larks had an explosive start of the game with Garrett Macias (California State University, San Bernardino) hitting a grand slam to top off the eight runs scored in the second inning. Macias went 3 for 5 with a single and a double to add to the grand slam. Zen Hiatt (University of Montevallo) went 3 for 3 with two singles, a double and 3 RBI.
Mankato MoonDogs 5, La Crosse Loggers 0
The Mankato MoonDogs swept the La Crosse Loggers 5-0. The MoonDogs scored first in the top of the third with a sacrifice fly by Sean Ross (Indiana State University) and a two run single by Nick Altermatt (Minnesota State University, Mankato). To provide insurance runs the MoonDogs scored two more runs in the fourth inning. Donovan Schultz (University of Evansville) had the win on the mound throwing six innings with nine strikeouts.
Sunday’s Schedule:
Wausau Woodchucks @ Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (1:05pm)
Madison @ Green Bay (1:05pm)
Lakeshore @ Fond du Lac (1:05pm)
Traverse City @ Kalamazoo (1:35pm)
Rockford @ Kokomo (2:05pm)
Eau Claire Express @ Waterloo (2:35pm)
Kenosha @ Battle Creek (3:05pm)
Mankato @ St.Cloud (4:05pm)
La Crosse @Rochester (5:05pm)
Minnesota @ Willmar (5:05pm)
Duluth @ Bismarck (5:35pm)
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