The La Crosse Loggers lost their fifth straight game in a row Monday night at Copeland Park, losing a heartbreaker to the Wisconsin Woodchucks 5-3.
The Loggers struck first thanks to a RBI single from designated hitter Cameron Balough (Judson University), to score right fielder Aaron Knapp (Cal). However, the Woodchucks would tie it up in the top of the 3rd on a fielder's choice from former Logger and La Cresent native Troy Traxler.
The game wouldn't be tied for long as the Loggers would regain the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a Sulliam Rios Reyes (Kirkwood CC) single to once again plate Knapp. La Crosse would add another run in the 4th as catcher Cody Foreman (College of the Albemarle) would single home Holmen native Taylor Kohlwey (UW- La Crosse).
Loggers starter Brian Keller (UW- Milwaukee) was cruising until the top of the sixth. Woodchucks' third baseman Paul DeJong led off the inning with a solo home run. Keller then worked his way into a jam but was one out away of getting out of it, until Woodchucks' designated hitter Ryan Donovan made him pay as he singled home Brendon Hayden to tie the game.
All together it was another great outing for Brian Keller. He went seven innings, gave up three runs (all earned) on five hits, while walking four and striking out three. He also helped preserve what was left of a thin Loggers' bullpen.
The game would head into extras and newly added Loggers' reliever Zack Walsh (Valparaiso) was mowing down the Woodchucks. But in the top of the 11th, Walsh gave up his only two hits of the night and they would be costly. C.J. Chatham would crush a Walsh pitch to left-center field to give Wisconsin the lead. Later in the inning Donovan would tack on an insurance run to give the Woodchucks a 5-3 lead.
After getting the first two batters on in the bottom of the inning, the Loggers would come up empty as Wisconsin reliever Max Ising would end the La Crosse rally.
The two teams will close out their two-game series Tuesday night at the Lumberyard. First pitch is slated for 7:05.
