Rochester, Minn.- The Loggers fall to the Honkers 9-3 at Mayo Field this afternoon. La Crosse started with a 2-0 lead, but gave up nine consecutive runs and never was able to recover.
Kevin Collard (San Diego) doubled with one out in the opening frame. David Jacob (Quincy) singled in the next at-bat, followed by another single by Casey Danley (Illinois Central) that scored Collard. Jacob scored on a groundout to second by Brandon Larkin-Guilfoyle (Davenport), giving La Crosse a 2-0 lead. This is the first game of the season in which the Loggers scored first.
The lead didn’t last long. Rochester scored three runs on four hits and a Logger error to take their first lead of the game 3-2. The Logger starting pitcher, Connor Wollersheim (Kent State), threw more than 35 pitches in the 1st inning, and by Northwoods League rule, cannot return to the game in the next inning.
Graham Spraker (Quincy) came into the game in relief of Wollersheim in the 2nd inning, much like Zach Kesterson’s (Duke) situation in relief for Logger start Kevin Flemer (California) on Thursday, June 2nd.
Spraker started off his appearance by retiring the first six Honkers that he faced. That was until Joey Czarske (Cal State Northridge) led off the 4th with a walk. He came in to score on a two-out single by Bryce Marquardt (Bethel).
Cazrske came up again in the 5th with one out and two on. This time he sent the ball over the outfield fence, breaking open the game, 7-2. Alex Fitchett (Hawaii) hit a home run of his own the next inning, making it 9-2.
Luke Farley (Iowa) took a run off the lead with his second home run of the season in the 7th, but it was not enough to help the Loggers come back as they lose to the Honkers 9-3.
The second straight loss for the Loggers puts them at 2-4. Rochester moves up to 2-3 on the season. La Crosse returns home for a game against the Eau Claire Express. Tomorrow is the front end of a home and away series with the Express, before continuing on the road in Willmar and Thunder Bay. Game time tomorrow is 7:05, gates open at 6. If you cannot make it to Copeland Park, listen to the game on the Logger Radio Network, Eagle 102.7 or the Logger Radio App.
