BISMARK, ND – The La Crosse Loggers picked up their first road victory of 2017 when they topped the host Bismark Larks 4-2 on Tuesday night in front of 795 fans at Bismark Municipal Stadium.
The game didn't start well for the Lumbermen as Bismark plated a run in each of the first two frames off of Loggers starter Mason McMahon (UWL) to take an early 2-0 lead, but that would be all the offense that Bismark would muster off of McMahon and two relievers the rest of the night.
La Crosse would tie the game at two apiece in the top half of the fourth thanks to an RBI single from Mike Ferri (UW-Milwaukee) and and RBI double from Yahir Gurrola (North Florida). Gurrola would strike again in the sixth with another RBI single to plate Ryan Mantle (Creighton) and then Connor Perry (Pitt) would add another insurance run in the seventh with a RBI double.
McMahon would turn in the best start of the young season for the Loggers when he tossed 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking only one and striking out five to earn the victory. Charlie Fletcher (William & Mary) would toss a scoreless 1.1 innings or relief before turning it over to Grant Ford (Nevada) who slammed the door in the ninth to record his first save.
Gurrola led the way offensively for the Loggers with three hits and two RBI's. Mantle also notched a pair of safeties and was on base four times on the night and Nick Schranck (UT-Rio Grand Valley) collected a pair of hits as well.
The Loggers will continue their road trip on Wednesday night when they travel to St. Cloud, MN to take on the Rox at 7:05 p.m. Air time on the Logger Nation Station, Eagle 102.7 FM, is set for 6:30 p.m.
