The Kalamazoo Growlers swept the Loggers Friday night after downing them 6-5 from Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo.
The game was tied 3-3 going into the seventh inning when La Crosse got a go-ahead RBI single from Ryne Birk (Texas A&M) to score Aaron Knapp (Cal). Birk on the night finished 3-4 with 3 RBI. Kalamazoo struck back in the bottom of the inning. Justin Fletcher (Northern Illinois) hit a two-run RBI double to give the Growlers the lead. Then Jared Kujawa (Western Michigan) hit a double to score Fletcher.
The Loggers would score in the ninth when Jack Meggs (Washington) would single home Jerrod Bravo (Sacramento City CC). But it was not enough as the Growlers were able to close it out.
Starter Scott Burke (UCLA) pitched well as he went six innings allowing three runs (earned), on four hits, while walking two, and striking out two.
The Loggers now are 7-9 in the second half, five games back of the first place Lakeshore Chinooks. The Chinooks, however, won the South Division first half. If they were to win the second half, the team with the next best overall record would qualify for the final playoff spot in the South Division. The Loggers overall record is two games behind the Madison Mallards for the next best overall record in the South Division.
The Loggers will kick off a two-game series with the Chinooks Saturday night from Copeland Park. First pitch is scheduled immediately after the Loggers and Chinooks conclude a suspended game from when the two teams had to stop play due to a city ordinance from a July 11th game in Mequon.