The La Crosse Loggers played a modified doubleheader on Thursday night against the Eau Claire Express at Copeland Park. The first game, a resumption of Tuesday night’s postponed contest, resulted in an 8-0 Loggers victory.
The game was resumed with two outs and a runner on first in the top of the fourth inning with the Loggers leading 1-0 on an RBI single from Tony Bullard (Arizona) in the second inning on Tuesday night. Right-hander Jack Delmore (California) started the night on the mound for the Loggers, technically entering in relief for Tuesday’s starting pitcher Zach Pronschinske (UW La Crosse). Delmore picked up where Pronschinske left off, cruising through the Express lineup to pick up his first victory of the season. The 6-foot-3 junior did not allow a hit in 3.2 innings of work, striking out four before right-hander Marius Balandis (Iowa Western/St. Louis) tossed 1.2 scoreless to complete the shutout.
La Crosse was led offensively by a three-hit performance from Brett Hawkins (Young Harris), and two-hit nights from Bullard and Vinnie Massaglia (Illinois Central CC). Kyson Donahue (Arizona) reached base four times and knocked in a pair of RBI while Brady Allen (South Carolina) and Adam Christianson (Illinois Central CC) each had a 2-RBI double of their own in the 8-0 victory.
Game two did not go the Loggers’ way as they lost 7-3 to split the day and series with the Express. Defensive miscues plagued La Crosse in the night cap as Jack Ferguson (Madonna) allowed just two earned runs in 4.0 innings, but left trailing 5-3 and was tabbed with his first loss of the season. La Crosse was led offensively by Ryan Holgate (Arizona) who hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot to right field.
The Loggers return home for a two game set against the Bismarck Larks with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM Friday night on the second fireworks display of the season presented by Mayo Clinic Health System.
