Brian Keller (UW-Milwaukee) continued his excellent 2014 summer season Sunday evening by almost going the distance for the La Crosse Loggers, as they kicked off a pivotal series against the Wisconsin Woodchucks in Wausau with a win, 3-1.

Keller went 8.1 innings, allowing just one run (unearned), on four hits, with one walk, and seven strikeouts.  Keller is now 2-0, with a 2.35 ERA, in 34.1 innings.

The Loggers scored two of their three runs in the top of the second inning.  Designated hitter, Mitch Bevacqua (Washington), hit an RBI single to score right fielder Luke Persico (UCLA).  Next batter, third basemen Brody Weiss (UC-Santa Barbara) would score first basemen Ryan Kirby  (San Diego) on a fielder's choice.

In the bottom half on the second, the Chucks would score their only run on a Troy Traxler (Minnesota) sacrifice fly.

The Loggers would regain their two-run lead in the third, as Kirby would single home Mike Nadratowski (Grand Valley State).

Keller couldn't go the whole way, but gave way in the ninth to ultra-utility man Marc Frazier (Nicholls State).  Frazier, who also plays first base, got the final two outs for this third save of the season.

Lakeshore beat Kalamazoo so the Loggers will maintain their .5 game lead on the Chinooks.  La Crosse and Wisconsin will finish up their series Monday evening at Athletic Park.  First pitch is scheduled for 6:35.