Northwoods Green Bay Rockers

\'Frogs Walk-Off in 14 Innings against Eau Claire

August 13, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release


Green Bay, WI - For the first time since 2007, the Green Bay Bullfrogs will be playing more than their regular season schedule. With a Battle Creek win over the Madison Mallards on Saturday evening, the ‘Frogs earned a spot in the 2011 Northwoods League Playoffs. The Bombers clinched the second-half with the win. This gives them the first and second half championships. The second playoff berth of the division is then awarded to the team with the best overall record other than Battle Creek. Green Bay owns that with a 41-27 record.

Battle Creek also clinched home field advantage on Saturday. This means the Bullfrogs will open the best-of-three Divisional Series against the Bombers at home on Monday, August 15th, 2011 at 7:05 pm. Green Bay will then travel to Battle Creek, MI for game two and a potential game three. The winner will play in the best-of-three Championship Series against either Mankato or Alexadria August 18-20.

The Bullfrogs celebrated their playoff berth with a 5-4 14-inning win against the Eau Claire Express on Saturday night at Joannes Stadium. Phillip Ervin drove Ryan Allgrove in with a 14th inning single to break a 4-4 tie after four hours of play.

Green Bay started things in the first. After Nick Stein had a leadoff walk to begin the game, Paul Hoenecke singled to put runners on first and second with one out. After an error by shortstop Alex Allbritton loaded the bases, Stein would come around to score on a sac-fly by Andy Hunter.

In the second the ‘Frogs would tack on two more runs. With two outs and runners on first and second, Ryan Allgrove hit a single to left that loaded the bases for Hoenecke. Express starter Luke Westphal walked Hoenecke to score Mehrten, then walked Phillip Ervin to score Filliben and make the score 3-0. Hunter would then line into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

‘Frogs starter Zak Hermans kept things contained until the sixth. First two base runners reached in the inning before Ryan Freitag hit a groundball of the first base bag to load the bases with no outs. Josh Scheffert would then hit a bases clearing double to center that tied the game at three. Still with a runner in scoring position and no outs, Hermans got the next three Express batters to fly out to end the inning.

The game would remain scoreless until the ninth. ‘Frogs reliever Adam Cimber, who had come into the game not allowing a run in 13 games allowed three straight singles to load the bases with one out. Ryan Shober hit a tie breaking single to right that would score one and put the Express ahead 4-3. It was just the second earned run that Cimber has alloed this summer. Justin Viele then hit a fly ball to Ryan Schilter in right field. Travis Wilcox tried to score on the fly out but Schilter cut down Wilcox at the plate with a perfect throw to end the inning and keep the ‘Frogs within one.

Down 4-3, Green Bay made their comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Nick Stein began the rally with a lead off single and reached second on a sac-bunt by Allgrove. During Hoenecke's at-bat, Stein appeared to have been picked off by Express reliever Mahlon Zimmermann, but the pickoff attempt was thrown past the second baseman into centerfield and Stein would come around to score on the error to tie the game at four.

The game would go into extra innings and remain scoreless until the 14th inning. Between the 10th and 13th only two runners would reach second base between the two squads. With one out in the 14th, Allgrove singled to center to put a runner on. After Hoenecke flew out to center Phillip Ervin would face a two-out RBI opportunity. Allgrove stole second on a 0-1 pitch to put himself into scoring position. Ervin cracked a line drive to center that brought around Allgrove for the winning run.

Hermans pitched seven strong innings for the ‘Frogs allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out six. Hermans had allowed only three base runners until his trouble in the sixth. After Cimber allowed the run in the ninth, the Green Bay bullpen scattered only two hits in five scoreless innings. Newcomer Greg Rhude picked up the win for the Bullfrogs.

Express starter Luke Westphal ran into early trouble and made it through only three innings yielding three runs on five hits and five walks. Reliever Josh Peterson pitched five dominant innings surrendering only two hits while striking out eight. Mahlon Zimmermann would blow the save attempt in the ninth and Evan Zerff would pitch the rest of the way, earning the loss for the Express.

The Bullfrogs look to sweep the two-game series from La Crosse on August 14th. It's Wipeout Day in Frogville. Join hosts of the hit ABC show WIPEOUT John Anderson and John Henson for the craziest day Frogville has ever seen! The Bullfrogs will wear Wipeout themed jerseys, presented by Milller Lite, that will be auctioned off during the game to benefit the Anderson Family Charitable Foundation.

Green Bay will host Battle Creek in game one of the three game playoff series in Frogville on Monday August 15th. Rain exchange tickets and vouchers can be used for the playoff game based on availability. Individual, group, season tickets and 7 game all you can eat plans are available by calling 920-497-7225 or by logging on to www.greenbaybullfrogs.com for more information.



Northwoods League Stories from August 13, 2011


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