It's pretty safe to say that the La Crosse Loggers have the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters' number. The Loggers were walk-off winners Thursday night from Copeland Park, winning 5-4 and beating the Rafters. La Crosse is now 7-0 against Rapids this season.
The Rafters took a two-run lead in the top of the second inning, after a couple of RBI groundouts from Clark Eagan (Arkansas), and Erik Payne (Virginia Tech).
In the bottom of the fourth the Loggers would get on the board. Designated hitter, Mitch Bevacqua (Washington), drew a bases-loaded walk.
The Lumbermen would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Bevacqua stepped back to the plate with runners on second and third, and came up clutch. The Idaho native, singled home Kevin Zak (Grand Valley State), and Luke Persico (UCLA) to notch his third and fourth RBI's of the season.
An insurance run would be added in the bottom of the seventh when center fielder Mike Nadratowski (Grand Valley State), singled home left fielder Jack Meggs (Washington).
It was another solid start for Loggers starter Ty Provencher (Long Beach State). The right-hander pitched seven innings, allowing two runs- both earned, on six hits, while walking one and striking out three. Provencher ended the night with a no-decision.
Former 2012 Loggers, Jacob Dorris (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi), came on in the eighth and gave up one run, but left two Rafters stranded, as he was able to get a double play ball, one of three for the Loggers on the night.
Closer Breckin Williams (Missouri) came on for the Loggers in the ninth, but blew the lead on a Keelin Rasch (Louisiana-Monroe) single to tie the game.
But the Loggers were able to come up with the walk-off in the bottom of the ninth. After a Brody Weiss (UC-Santa Barbara) lead-off single, and a Meggs sac bunt, Nadratowski was able to single home the son of former Major Leaguer, Walt Weiss, and make the Loggers victorious.
Lakeshore's game was suspended in Mequon with the Eau Claire Express, and they will finish their game tomorrow before their scheduled game, so the Loggers move to a .5 game behind the Chinooks for first place in the South Division.
The Loggers and Rafters will finish up their two-game series Friday night from Copeland Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.
