BATTLE CREEK, MI – Kevin Flemer (Oregon State) pitched eight innings of nearly flawless baseball en route to helping the La Crosse Loggers defeat the Battle Creek Bombers 7-1 on Monday night at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Mich.
After throwing six innings of shutout ball in his first start of the season, Flemer was even better in start #2 at Battle Creek. The sophomore right-hander limited the Bombers to just one unearned run on only two hits over eight innings of work, while walking two and striking out four to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Meanwhile the Loggers offense chipped away at the Battle Creek pitching staff. Mason McCoy (Iowa) led of the game with a double and later came around to score on a two-out RBI single off the bat of Alex Merritt (North Florida). One inning later, Ronnie Gideon (Texas A & M) scored via a fielder's choice RBI from Denz'l Chapman and then Will Savage (Columbia), who doubled earlier in the inning, came in to score on a RBI groundout from Jordan Zimmerman (Michigan State).
Just two innings later, McCoy drove in two more with an RBI single to put the Loggers up 5-0 and chased Battle Creek starters Jordan Knutson (Missouri State) from the game.
As Flemer continued to put up zeros, the Lumbermen would then add two runs in the eighth powered by a Riley Adams (San Diego) triple and a RBI sac fly from McCoy.
The Loggers tallied nine hits on the night, led by Merritt's three-hit night. McCoy also collected two hits and two RBI's and Savage recorded a pair of hits and scored twice.
Liam Carter (Missouri) pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the Loggers victory.
With the win the Loggers improved to 14-13 and will now travel to Kenosha, Wisc. to take on the KingFish at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday at Simmons Field. Air time on the Loggers Radio Network is set for 6:30 p.m.
