The Loggers hit the road for their first road trip of the season Thursday night kicking off a two-game series against the Madison Mallards at Warner Park.
The Loggers who just finished finished off a two-game sweep of the Wisconsin Woodchucks were looking to keep their hot start going to the 2014 Northwoods League season. Unfortunately for the Loggers, who just played 15 innings Wednesday night against the Woodchucks and used much of their thin bullpen, the starters in this matchup didn't go far.
Loggers' starter Westin Stringer (Jones CC) lasted just four innings, and struggled with command most of the night walking seven, allowing six runs (five earned) while giving up just three hits. Likewise for Madison, starter Alex Pondick lasted just 4 1/3 innings, and allowing four earned runs on three hits and three walks.
The Loggers struck first on Thursday as shortstop Sulliam Rios Reyes (Kirkwood CC) doubled home right fielder Aaron Knapp (California). Two batters later, third basemen Jerrod Bravo (Sacramento City CC) would hit a sac fly and score Reyes from third.
The Mallards would add one run in the bottom of the third inning, but struck big adding three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Catcher Drew Carlile singled home shortstop Michael Handel to tie the game up for Madison. Later in the inning, Will Krug would hit an RBI double to score Carlile and the next batter left fielder Alex Bacon would hit an RBI single to score Krug.
The Loggers would respond though in the top of the fifth inning. Left fielder and Holmen native Taylor Kohlway (UW-La Crosse) would remain hot and get the inning started with a leadoff single. Newly added infielder Nick Kanavas (Arizona) would be hit be a pitch, which lead to catcher Cody Foreman (College of the Albemarle). After a wild pitch, which both runners advanced, Foreman hit a sac fly to get the Lumbermen within one run. Kanavas would later score during an Aaron Knapp at-bat on another wild pitch.
But the Mallards were resilient in the bottom of the fifth. After loading the bases, Carlile would hit a sac fly to score designated hitter Spencer Blacksher from third, but the Loggers allowed right fielder Logan Regnier to also score from second.
Reliever Grant Yost (Sacramento City CC) did a nice job of bailing out the Loggers' pitching staff by finishing the game throwing four innings, allowing one run, on four hits, but the Loggers couldn't battle back eventually losing 7-5.
The Loggers will finish up their series in Madison, by playing the Mallards at 7:05 Friday night from Warner Park.
