For the 4th straight day in a row, the Duluth Huskies (24-34) fell to the La Crosse Loggers (29-28) 9-6 Sunday evening at Copeland Park.
The Loggers jumped to an early lead in the 1st, scoring on a solo shot from Griffin Conine. Justin Wylie would score for the Loggers in the bottom of the 2nd on a single from Mason McCoy. The hitting would continue into the bottom of the 3rd, scoring 2 more for the Loggers on singles from Chad Dullnig and Wylie. It would be the bottom of the 4th inning where things really got out of control for the Huskies. The Loggers would score 5 runs on 4 hits before it was done. By the top of the 8th the Huskies were trying to claw back from a 9 run deficit. They would score 4 runs on only 2 hits, while the Loggers went through 3 pitchers to make the score 9-4 Loggers. Before the game was done, the Huskies had another little rally in the top of the 9th scoring 2 to put them at 9-6, but it wasn’t enough to take the lead.
Ryan Tapani received the loss after tossing 3.0 innings and allowing 11 hits with 8 runs, 3 walks, and 1 strikeout. David Kroger came in as relief for Tapani and he tossed 4.0 innings with 4 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Ian Schwickert would come in to finish the game tossing for 1 inning with 1 hit and 2 strikeouts. Randy Labaut earned the win for the Loggers after tossing 6.2 innings allowing 3 hits, 0 runs, 4 walks, and 8 strikeouts.
The Huskies continue their road trip to Thunder Bay Monday for a double header before returning home Tuesday for a 2 game series against the Rochester Honkers. Tuesday is Duluth Zoo Night at the Wade. Support “Boo at the Zoo!” The Zoo will have the Zoo-mobile in Wade Plasa along with animals. Gates open at 5:35 with first pitch set at 6:35. For more information, contact the Duluth Huskies front office at 218-786-9909 or at huskies@duluthhuskies.com.