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Published On: July 5th, 2015

LA CROSSE, WI- The Loggers and the Kingfish set up for battle, on Independence Day, for the final game of a season-long eight game homestand, going 3-4 in it entering the game. It was a high-octane, dramatic, and exciting game indeed. Kevin Flemer (Oregon State) made the start for the Loggers against Callahan Brown (Connecticut) for the Kingfish.

Once again, the opposing team has lead off the game with a hit. Zach Wiegel (Seton Hall) singled to center field. A bunt moved him to third and Eric Filia hit him in with a single. Riley Adams (San Diego) threw out Filia at second before Kenosha could add any more runs.

The Lumberman immediately answered back. Mason McCoy (Iowa) added his 60th hit of the seaspn. Jordan Zimmerman (Michigan State) followed suit, moving McCoy to 3rd on a textbook hit and run to right field. Just like that, La Crosse had two on with no one out. Will Savage (Columbia) brought the tying run in on an infield single. Chris Baker (Washington) grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The lead did not last long as Jordan Pearce (Nevada) sent a shot past the left-center fence for a home run. The Loggers loaded up the bases thanks to hits by Ronnie Gideon (Texas A&M) and Ryan Kirby (San Diego) and a Denz’l Chapman (San Diego State) walk. Mason McCoy beat out the second half of an attempted double play to bring in Gideon. Will Savage walked on to load the bases for the second time in the inning. Riley Adams (San Diego) made full use of the situation. Adams took a pitch before sending the second one long for the first Logger grand slam of the season. At the end of just two, La Crosse had a 7-2 lead.

The top of the 3rd ended up being a confusing and controversial half inning. Zach Weigel reached on a Will Savage error. A base hit to right made it runners on the corners. Things got interesting when a double play throw attempt from Jordan Pearce took Mason McCoy off the base. The throw to first base sailed over Flemer’s head and out of play. The runner at third scored along with Filia. Jeremy Vasquez (Florida), the batter on the play, was originally awarded second and third bases, but after Logger Manager Bill talked to both umpires, Vasquez was sent back to second base. That was all for the Kingfish in the 3rd as they cut the Logger lead to three.

Will Savage opened the bottom of the 4th with a double. He stole third base before Chris Baker hit him in with a single. Jordan Pearce got on with a single. The Loggers looked to do more damage but Kenosha got out of the inning on a “strike him out, throw him out” play at third. La Crosse put another run up on the board when Mason McCoy doubled to bring in Ryan Kirby for Mason’s 22nd RBI of the season.

Kenosha gave Kevin Flemer one last run for his money in the 6th. A hit and two walks loaded the bases for new reliever, Matt Naylor (North Florida). The first run scored on a sacrifice fly to center field. Brody Westmoreland (San Diego State) singled to load the bases. Naylor balked, scoring the second run. Grayson Byrd (LSU) cleared the bases with a 3-run shot to tie the game. Jordan Jess (Minnesota) came in and finished the inning off.

With the game now tied, La Crosse came right back to take the lead again. Riley Adams and Chris Baker doubled to start the inning. Jordan Pearce got the RBI on a groundout to short. Ronnie Gideon (Texas A&M) topped the cake with a home run for himself, avenging a wall-climbing snag by Zach Weigel that took away potential home run in the 3rd.

Both managers made frequent visits to talk to the umpires throughout the game, most in heated debate. But in the 7th inning, Duffy Dyer got so frustrated with home plate umpire Gerald Perry Jr., that Duffy was thrown out of the game.

Riley Adams appeared to hurt his wrist on a strikeout in the 8th. This comes along with Alex Merritt not being in attendance tonight due to sickness. Kenosha walked three straight in the 8th. Ronnie Gideon tried to steal second but appeared to fall down. While distracted, Chris Baker snuck in behind and stole home run. Gideon also returned safely to first.

Kenosha managed one run off Jess before Ty Provencher (Long Beach State) came in to stop the comeback and earn his 9th save of the season. La Crosse secured the 10-6 win for their 2nd win of the half. La Crosse heads to Kenosha for two before returning to Copeland on Tuesday for a home series against Kalamazoo.

 

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