The Bullfrogs entered Monday in a five team race for the South Division's First Half Title, with all five clubs being separated by just two games. Monday's rain across the league canceled two of the four South Division contests meaning that just three of the top five clubs played. Going into Monday the top five looked like this; Eau Claire (18-12, -GB), Wisconsin (17-14, 1.5 GB), Waterloos (17-14, 1.5GB), Green Bay (16-14, 2 GB) and La Crosse (16-14, 2GB). Madison defeated La Crosse 7-3 and although the Loggers are not eliminated with the loss they will have the toughest row to hoe over the next three days trailing by two and a half games.
The Bullfrogs and Wisconsin Woodchucks were the other two teams in action and both clubs were desperately vying for a win, because although a loss wouldn't eliminate other teams a loss would make a division title next to impossible to accomplish.
The Bullfrogs got out to a good start leading 3-0 after five and a half innings. Highlighted on perhaps the hardest hit ball I've seen all year, a solo home run from first basemen Troy Scott to center field. With both the wind and rain knocking that ball down it still cleared the high centerfield fence at Athletic Park in Wausau with ease.
In the bottom of the sixth though, Joel Delorit, the Bullfrogs starter would run into a little bit of trouble with two outs. With runners on the corners Bullfrogs Manager Jordan Bischel came out to get the mound fixed, hoping the umpires would call the game as the rain was coming down in sheets at the time. The umpires would get the mound worked on but didn't call the game and Delorit walked the next batter out of the break. Coach Bischel then went to the pen for Brian Burgess, the Bullfrogs closer (thinking the game would be called after six), to preserve the lead. Burgess threw three pitches to Shariff Othman, the third being blasted over the scoreboard in right for a grand slam putting the Woodchucks up 4-3.
The Bullfrogs were down, but they weren't out as they rallied back for two more in the seventh to take the lead 5-4. Then in the eight Riley Henricks laid down a suicide squeeze bunt and everyone was safe making it 6-4 Bullfrogs. But the Woodchucks would again have the answer in the home half of the inning getting to runners in scoring position with one out off of Keeler Brynteson who was brought in to pitch the eight. He would be lifted for Ben Versnik who would try to earn a 5-out save. The second pitch Versnik threw was lifted to centerfield for a sacrifice fly with both runners tagging and one scoring making it a one run game at 6-5. Then the next batter blooped a single to center right past the Bullfrogs shortstop to tie the game at six.
Nobody scored in the ninth sending us to extra innings where the Bullfrogs were (0-1) on the year. Nobody scored in the tenth, but then in the elevnth the Bullfrogs would bust out. Collin Kuhn led off with a walk and when Brad Zapenas tried to sacrifice him over pitcher Anthony Drobnick's throw to first sailed over the firstbaseman's head allowing Kuhn to go to third. Tom Barry followed with an RBI single making it 7-6 Bullfrogs, but Green Bay wasn't done yet. Scott Schebler would double home two more to make it 9-6. Three batters later Joe Betcher hit is third double of the night scoring Schebler to make it 10-6. Still the Bullfrogs weren't done as Beau Fraser walked to load the bases. Riley Henricks then lifted a ball to centerfield for a sacrifice fly scoring Joel Hutter who had walked earlier in the inning. Four pitches later Kuhn lined a ball to center that fell in front of Kevin Pillar making it 12-6 Bullfrogs.
Matt Kimball pitched a scoreless eleventh for the Frogs to pick up the win. Kimball went two innings allowing one hit striking out three. Anthony Drobnick took the loss for the Wisconsin Woodchucks.
With Green Bays win and La Crosse and Wisconsin's losses the top five looks like this.
Eau Claire 18 12 (GB) [E#]
Green Bay 17 14 (1.5) [3]
Waterloo 17 14 (1.5) [3]
Wisconsin 17 15 (2) [2]
La Crosse 16 15 (2.5) [2]
The Bullfrogs mostly control their own destingy with three days to play holding tie breakers over Eau Claire, Waterloo and La Crosse, although their is little chance of finishing tied with Waterloo as they play four games in the next three days.
Today's South Division Games:
Battle Creek @ Waterloo (DH) 5:35
Wisconsin Rapides @ Eau Claire (DH) 6:05
Madison @ La Crosse 7:05
Wisconsin @ Green Bay 7:05
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