Willmar, Minn. – Fireworks were blazing in Bill Taunton Stadium; four home runs highlighted the night, three by the Loggers, but they still fell 9-7. Nolan Gromacki (Missouri) went 3.2 innings, giving up four runs and striking out four more in the loss.
After a scoreless first, the Stingers stung first in the second inning. After a one-out single to center, Brian Pruett homered to give Willmar the first lead of the game.
Mason McCoy (Iowa) led the answer by the Loggers in third. We singled and scored on a single by Will Savage (Columbia). Jordan Pearce (Nevada) took one swing to give La Crosse the lead. His two-run home run made the game 3-2 Loggers.
Willmar added two immediately afterwards on a sacrifice fly by Reagan Fowler and a wild pitch that scored Storm Wilson.
The third lead change in three half innings came in the top of the fourth. Ronnie Gideon (Texas A&M) opened with a solo shot that tied the game at 4-4. Mason McCoy reached on an error that proved harmful because in the next at-bat, Jordan Zimmerman (Michigan State) gave La Crosse a two-run lead with his home run.
The game stood quiet on both sides for an inning, but the Stingers caught fire again, scoring five runs over the next three innings. Two wild pitches, a triple, and three errors opened the lane for Willmar to grab a 9-6 lead.
Ronnie Gideon scored on a Chris Baker (Washington) but it was not enough to take down the Stinger lead as the Loggers fell 9-7 in Willmar.
The Loggers fell to 17-12 in the second half, four and a half back of Kenosha. Overall, they are 36-27 and have a five and a half game lead for the final wild card spot. The Lumbermen return home to Copeland to square off with the Lakeshore Chinooks. Game time is at 6:05, gates open at 5.