LA CROSSE, WI- The Loggers needed a rebound to look like their old selves after losing two games at home. They sent out their ace, Kevin Flemer (Oregon State), Wisconsin’s Jared Skolnicki (Kent State). Flemer made his third start of the season, having given up zero earned runs for the season.
He came out of the gates sprinting. Kevin struck out three batters in the first but ran into trouble in the third. L.J Hatch (Johnson County CC) got on with a single. Albee Weiss (Cal State Northridge) did not take long to make his mark, hitting a bomb over the left field wall. Wisconsin 2 more hits and a walk to take an early 4-0 lead. Ronnie Gideon (Texas A&M) answered in the bottom half of the third with a scoreboard-hitting shot of his own.
Kevin Flemer pitched 5.1 innings and struck out 6 batters. Liam Carter (Missouri) relieved him and held Wisconsin quiet. Carter went 2.2, giving up no runs, and threw a strikeout.
La Crosse’s bats finally sparked in the 8th. After two quick outs, Chris Baker (Washington) started the train with a double to left. Jordan Pearce (Nevada) followed suit and drove Baker in with a single. Will Savage (Columbia) walked to bring up Alex Merritt (North Florda). He got the Copeland Crazies loud with a two RBI double to the right field corner. The Loggers loaded the bases but could not bring in anymore, but it was enough to take their first lead of the game.
Ty Provencher (Long Beach State) came in the 9th to finish the game. The Chucks threated by loading the bases with all two outs. Provencher got his mojo back and got the final out to get the save.
La Crosse improves to 18-15; while they cannot win the first-half divisional crown, they can still win the second half or one of the two wild card slots new to the Northwoods League. The wild card slots are based on overall records so every game is important. La Crosse finishes off the first half with a day/night doubleheader against the Madison Mallards. Game 1 is at 12:05, gates open at 11 and game 2 starts a 7:05, gates open at 6.
