Huskies Nearly Comeback against the Larks; Clinch Playoffs with Express Loss
August 13, 2021 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Duluth Huskies News Release
Duluth, Minn. - Although the Duluth Huskies (29-38) were defeated by the Bismarck Larks (30-37) 8-7, the Eau Claire Express were officially eliminated from postseason contention after a 17-2 loss against the Willmar Stingers. As a result, the Huskies reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Starter Jake Schelonka (1-1) was taken out after one inning to be fresh and ready for the playoffs. Unfortunately, he got tagged with the loss tonight after giving up one earned run. The Huskies received three innings from Richard Kiel and Carter Sullivan (who made his Husky debut), but trailed 8-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth.
After Sullivan, the Huskies threw out position players Michael Brooks and Peyton Powell, who combined for 4.2 innings and did not allow a run. Ray Watt came in to pick up the final out in the top of the ninth to hold the Larks scoreless since the fourth inning.
Even though the Huskies' bats were quieted for the first six innings, Dom Meza smoked a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to put the Huskies on the board. Meza's homer at Wade Stadium was the Huskies first since Kimo Fukofuka on June 1.
After finally knocking starter Andrew Paten out of the game, the Huskies trailed 8-2 in the ninth. Duluth's bats picked up steam and the 'Skies clawed their way back with an RBI single from Dom Meza, and a two-run double from Bryan Broecker. Three batters later, Mike Boeve laced an RBI single to extend his on-base streak to 31 games. After a walk from Xavier Carter to load the bases, Calyn Halvorson then walked in a run. Sadly, with the bases loaded and being down 8-7, the Huskies were unable to erase a six-run deficit.
The victory moves the Larks' second-half record to 12-20, while the Huskies fall to 17-16. The Huskies play their final game of the regular season against the Larks tomorrow at 3:05 PM back at Wade Stadium. After the Larks' series, the Huskies will take on the Waterloo Bucks for a best of three Great Plains East battle in the Northwoods League playoffs.
Northwoods League Stories from August 13, 2021
- Offensive Explosion Blasts Lakeshore over the Booyah - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Stingers End Express' Playoff Hopes with 17-2 Win - Willmar Stingers
- Honkers Fall in Opener in Final Series of the Summer - Rochester Honkers
- Huskies Nearly Comeback against the Larks; Clinch Playoffs with Express Loss - Duluth Huskies
- Rafters Overpower Woodchucks, in Final Away Game - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Rox Shut out Mud Puppies, Win 50 Games for First Time in Franchise History - St. Cloud Rox
- Booyah Fall to Chinooks at Home - Green Bay Rockers
- Rivets Knock Around Kingfish for 15-5 Win - Rockford Rivets
- Pender Deals in Final Outing, MoonDogs Upend Honkers 6-4 at ISG Field - Mankato MoonDogs
- Mallards Dominate Fondy 11-1, Set up Elimination Game Tomorrow - Madison Mallards
- Woodchucks Fall in Regular Season Home Finale - Wausau Woodchucks
- Patterson, Defense, Lead to 7-4 Win over Traverse City - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Pit Spitters Lose to Bombers, Will Host Game 1 of Playoffs - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Logan Lee Named to Postseason All-Star Team - Green Bay Rockers
- Higgins Named Named Co-MVP, Reilly Brothers Garner Postseason All-Star Honors - Mankato MoonDogs
- Mallards Host Fond du Lac to Start Must-Win Series - Madison Mallards
- Three Bucks Named to NWL Postseason All-Star Team - Waterloo Bucks
- Booyah Open Final Series of Season - Green Bay Rockers
- Former Thunder Bay Border Cat Jacob Robson Debuts with the Tigers - Northwoods
- Northwoods League Announces 2021 Postseason All-Star Team. Adam Wheaton Makes Team - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Simpson Named NWL Co-MVP, Loftin Selected to Postseason All-Star Team - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Northwoods League Announces 2021 Postseason All-Star Team - Northwoods
- Former Thunder Bay Border Cat Debuts with Detroit Tigers - Thunder Bay Border Cats
- Long Ball Pushes Huskies to Sweep - Duluth Huskies
- Woodchucks Lose Extra-Inning Thriller - Wausau Woodchucks
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