The La Crosse Loggers extended their winning streak to four, as they came back to win the series opener against the Kenosha Kingfish 7-6, Friday night at Copeland Park.
The Loggers took the lead early when first basemen Ryan Kirby (San Diego) doubled home catcher Jerrod Bravo (Sacramento City CC) in the bottom of the second. Three batters later, right fielder Aaron Knapp (Cal) hit an RBI single to score designated hitter Marc Frazier (Nicholls State).
Kingfish first basemen Zack Ratcliff hit the first of his two home runs in the top of the third to pull the Kingfish within a run at 2-1. Ratcliff would then hit a two-run homer in the top of the fifth to give the Kingfish the lead.
The Kingfish would end up taking a 5-2 lead when the Loggers mounted their comeback. In the bottom of the fifth, Sulliam Rios Reyes (Kirkwood CC) would draw a bases loaded walk to score Frazier. Next batter, newly activated Ronnie Gideon (Texas A&M), would be hit by a pitch to score second basemen Nick Kanavas (Arizona).
In the eighth the Loggers had two men on with two outs when left fielder and Holmen native Taylor Kohlwey (UW- La Crosse) stepped to the plate. Kohlwey would smoke a laser to the right field fan deck to give the Loggers the 7-5 lead.
In the ninth reliever Breckin Wiliams (Missouri) came on, and after giving up a run on a wild pitch, he was able to close it out for the Lumbermen.
The Loggers and Kingfish conclude their two-game series Saturday night at Copeland Park. First pitch is slated for 6:05.
