Rochester, Minn. – The La Crosse Loggers came back from a 3-0 and 5-3 deficits to tie the game, but could not overcome the Rochester Honkers at Mayo Field in extra innings, 6-5.
After a scoreless 1st inning, Rochester took the lead with a two out 3-run home run by Jackson Thoreson (St. Mary’s).
The Loggers answered immediately in the 3rd. With Mason McCoy (Iowa) on 2nd base, Cullen Large (William & Mary) put the Lumbermen on the board with a RBI single to center field. Grant Fennell (Nevada) tied the game up with one swing, sending a 2-run blast over the outfield fence.
Loggers’ starter Jon Teaney (San Diego) held the Honkers in check until the 5th inning. Kyle Kasser (Oregon) singled to lead off the inning. After an error by shortstop Mason McCoy allowed Turner Buis (Cal State Fullerton) to reach on a fielder’s choice. Two batters later, Joey Czarske (Cal State Northridge) took the lead back with a ground out to the shortstop. Buis scored in the at-bat on an error by the second baseman.
Honker’s starting pitcher Robert Paccione (LIU Post) cruzed through the La Crosse offense, allowing just two hits after the 3rd inning. He was relieved to start the 8th inning, and the Lumbermen got to his reliever Cameron Aufderheide (Saddle Back College). Back-to-back errors allowed two runners to reach base with one out. Two batters later, Kyle Plantier (UC-Santa Barbara) singled to right field. Both runners scored on an error by the right fielder. Plantier moved to 2nd base. A fly out ended the threat, but with the score now tied 5-5.
The 9th inning went scoreless, sending the game into extra innings.
Things got interesting in the 10th inning. After a 3 up, 3 down top of the inning, Rochester threatened to win the game. Joey Czarske led off the inning with a walk. A sacrifice bunt moved him to 2nd base. Miles Lewis (North Dakota) came into the game to pinch run. A single by Josh Davis (Pepperdine) made a play at the plate. But, a great throw from centerfielder Lars Nootbaar (USC) and a tag by catcher Gavin Johns (UCLA) prevented Lewis from scoring, for the 1st out of the inning. Davis advanced to 2nd base on the throw. Alex Fitchett (Hawaii) followed by singling to right field, but the throw was off, allowing Davis to score the winning run.
Cameron Aufderheide earns his 1st win this season (1-0) with 3 innings pitched, giving up 2 runs (both unearned) on 1 hit.
Cason Sherrod (Texas A&M) fell to 2-2 on the season. He pitched 1.2 innings, giving up 1 run on 2 hits. He walked 2 batters and struck out 3 Honkers.
La Crosse falls to 8-9 in the 2nd half (25-28 overall). Rochester moves to 8-11 in the 2nd half (15-39 overall). With the St. Cloud loss tonight, La Crosse remains three games out of 1st place in the 2nd half North Division race. Next, the Loggers take on the last place Duluth Huskies in Wade Stadium. Game time is 6:35 PM.
