The La Crosse Loggers closed out a successful 3-1 road trip, with a 9-4 win Tuesday night from Wisconsin Rapids against the Rafters.

The win jumped the Lumbermen into a three-way tie for first place with the Lakeshore Chinooks and the red hot Wisconsin Woodchucks.  

La Crosse got another great start from their pitching, as starter Ryan Deemes (Nicholls State), went six innings, allowing one run (unearned), on six hits, while allowing zero walks, and striking out two.

The Loggers struck first as third basemen, Nash Knight (Dallas Baptist), scored two with a bases loaded single.  Knight would also single home first basemen, Ryan Kirby (San Diego), in the top of the fourth inning to give the Loggers a 3-1 lead.  Later in the inning, right fielder Jack Meggs (Washington) would score on a Mike Nadratowski (Grand Valley State) putout.

Kirby remained hot Tuesday night, as he singled home a familiar face for Loggers nation, catcher Austin Rei (Washington), in the top of the fifth inning.  

La Crosse would have a big inning in the top of the sixth, as they plated three runs.  First, Nadratowski scored Meggs on an RBI single.  Then, second basemen, Ryan Birk (Texas A&M), would score Nadratowski on another single.  Later in the inning, designated hitter, Kevin Zak (Grand Valley State), would score on a Kirby dropped third strike.

Altogether is was a successful evening as the Loggers won and set themselves up for a dog fight in the last two weeks of the first half of the Northwoods League season.  It all begins Wednesday night as the Loggers open up a four-game homestand and welcome the Alexandria Blue Anchors to Copeland Park.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.