LA CROSSE, WI – With only three games remaining at The Lumberyard, the La Crosse Loggers were looking to snap a two-game losing streak and help fans make memories one game at a time with what is left of the 2017 season. Unfortunately, the Loggers have eliminated their hopes of making the playoffs, but still look to make the most of remaining games. Tonight, the Loggers jumped out to a 5-0 start in the bottom of the first inning and would not look back. Your final from The Lumberyard was the La Crosse Loggers 9 and the St. Cloud Rox 4. This improves their record to 29-37 on the season and 15-17 on the second half.
RHP Cody Ebert (Columbia) has seen a total of eight starts this season at The Lumberyard and he was looking to make this his best start yet. This performance was definitely a solid start for Ebert as he allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks in 6.0 innings of work. With this win, Ebert improves to 4-5 on the season with a 6.03 ERA. LHP Neil Lang (Concordia-Irvine) and RHP Grant Ford (Nevada) would combine for 3.0 innings of relief allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts. RHP Carlo Graffeo would be handed the loss after the Loggers produced seven runs on six hits off him.
The Loggers' offense would put up nine runs on the scoreboard off of 10 hits. Leading the way in this charge were Jake Hirabayashi (UCLA) going 1-for-4 with one RBI and adding two stolen bases to his team-leading total of 15, Dashon Moore (South Suburban College) going 1-for-3 with one RBI, and Andrew Tanous (Evansville) going 3-for-4 with four RBI including a three-RBI double to break the game open in the bottom of the first inning. This performance would earn Tanous the player of the game title, as he played a large factor in the 9-4 win over the Rox.
The La Crosse Loggers will now have an off day for the Big Dreams Showcase in Madison. RHP/INF Garrett Christman (Butler), LHP Ryan Anderson (Nevada), INF David Villar (South Florida), and OF Kennie Taylor (Duke) will all be competing among the best players in all of the Northwoods League. The Loggers return home for a rematch against the St. Cloud Rox on Wednesday, August 9 at 7:05 PM. A tribute to the Children's Miracle Network presented by FIREFIGHTER'S CREDIT UNION will be going on at the ballpark with a jersey auction to collect proceeds for the cause. Wednesdays are also "Wine-Down Wednesdays", so enjoy wine samples before the game from ELMARO VINEYARD when gates open at 6:00 PM. See you at The Lumberyard!