La Crosse, Wisc. – Duluth scores three runs in the top of the 9th off the Loggers’ bullpen to win 3-2 in Copeland Park.
Both pitchers brought their best stuff to the park tonight. Drew Molin (St. Thomas) held La Crosse to two hits through four innings. Kyle Plantier (UC-Santa Barbara) broke a streak of nine straight batters retired by Molin with a leadoff double. Gavin Johns (UCLA) broke the scoreless game with a 2-run home run over the left field wall.
Taylor Blatch (Florida State) started his first game of the season. He pitched 6.2 scoreless innings on 6 hits. He walked 1 batter with 10 strikeouts. Unfortunately, he end with the no decision.
Colton Anderson (Viterbo) held the Huskies scoreless until the top of the 9th. Carter Hanford (Jefferson College) doubled to right-center field to lead off the final frame. Tristan Walters (Kankakee CC) came into pitch after that, but could not stop the comeback. Tyler Midas (North Dakota) singled and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. Jack Ralston (UCLA) came inherited three baserunners with only one out. He walked the first batter he faced. After getting a much-needed strikeout, Dillon Paulson (USC) singled to right field, scoring two runs to give Duluth the 3-2 lead.
Wade Regas (Texas Wesleyan) shut down the Loggers 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 9th for his fourth save.
La Crosse falls to 17-12 in the 2nd half (34-31 overall). Duluth picks up the win to move to 9-21 in the 2nd half (27-39 overall). La Crosse welcomes Mankato in for the final time at Copeland Park. They play a two-game series with the Big Dreams Showcase on Tuesday in between both games, before heading to Mankato on Thursday for a two-game series in Minnesota. Game time tomorrow is a 7:05 start. Be one of the first 500 fans at the gate when they open at 6 pm to receive a 2016 team photo! It is also “Funniest Home Videos Night,” presented by North Country Steak Buffet!
