There would be no 2009 Northwoods League champion crowned Saturday night in Copeland Park as the La Crosse Loggers were able to defeat the Rochester Honkers by the score of 5-4 at Copeland Park to force a deciding game three Sunday in Rochester.
Aaron Dunsmore provided what proved to be needed insurance with a three-run homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Honkers a four run cushion heading to the ninth inning. With two runners on Dusnmore lifted a pitch from Troy Watson (Sacramento CC) that sailed over the wall in left. The homerun followed what could have been a large momentum builder for La Crosse when Rochester's Scott Berke (UNLV) was thrown out at the plate for the second out. La Crosse got a solo homerun in the ninth that would have tied the game if not for Dunsmore's homer.
Aaron Dunsmore provided what proved to be needed insurance with a three-run homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Honkers a four run cushion heading to the ninth inning. With two runners on Dusnmore lifted a pitch from Troy Watson (Sacramento CC) that sailed over the wall in left. The homerun followed what could have been a large momentum builder for La Crosse when Rochester's Scott Berke (UNLV) was thrown out at the plate for the second out. La Crosse got a solo homerun in the ninth that would have tied the game if not for Dunsmore's homer.
The Honkers turned to their ace, Zach Robertson (Iowa), even though he was pitching on just three days of rest. Fatigue appeared to be bothering him early, as he looked anything but his usual dominant self for the first three innings. He struggled with command, and had to pitch out of jams in each of the first two frames. But the Loggers got on the board in the third inning, and took a 1-0 lead on a deep RBI double off the bat of Robert Brantly (UC-Riverside). But the blow seemed to wake Robertson up, and he was an unstoppable force after that. He retired the final ten men he faced as he shut down La Crosse through the sixth. He earned the win by pitching six innings and allowing just one run on three hits.
The Honkers turned to their ace, Zach Robertson (Iowa), even though he was pitching on just three days of rest. Fatigue appeared to be bothering him early, as he looked anything but his usual dominant self for the first three innings. He struggled with command, and had to pitch out of jams in each of the first two frames. But the Loggers got on the board in the third inning, and took a 1-0 lead on a deep RBI double off the bat of Robert Brantly (UC-Riverside). But the blow seemed to wake Robertson up, and he was an unstoppable force after that. He retired the final ten men he faced as he shut down La Crosse through the sixth. He earned the win by pitching six innings and allowing just one run on three hits.
Danny Brock (pictured) came through with a clutch grand slam in the sixth inning to lead the Honkers to a 7-2 victory over La Crosse in game one of the NWL Championship Series. (Lifetimephotomn.com)
Austin Knight recorded a team-high three hits to lead the Loggers in their 5-4 victory over Rochester. Knight hit a leadoff double in the bottom of the seventh inning and came around to score on a passed ball to give the Loggers their first lead of the night at 3-2. Knight also contributed several outstanding defensive plays at shortstop for the Loggers.
Stephen Gruver (Tennessee) kept the Loggers championship hopes alive with 4.1 excellent innings of relief to earn the win and send the NWL Championship Series back to Rochester. Gruver came on in the 5th inning and finished the game, stranding the tying and winning runs in scoring position by striking out Chris Auten (New Mexico St.) for the final out. The Loggers All-Star left-hander allowed just two runs on four hits and did not walk a batter while striking out five.
After taking a day off Thursday, Rochester and La Crosse will meet Friday in Rochester to open the best-of-three NWL Championship Series.
Danny Brock (St. Louis) tattooed a ball well over the wall in left center for a game-breaking grand slam in the 6th inning to put the Honkers on top 6-1 and effectively decide the game. Brock led the Honker offense going 2-4 with the grand slam, a double, a run scored and four RBI.
