The Loggers concluded their double header in walk-off fashion last night, beating Minnesota in a nail biter.  

Drew Christo (Nebraska) got the start for the Lumberman, his third of the season. The 6-4 hurler tallied 4.0 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 7 hits and 5 strikeouts. Despite not registering his best outing, Christo kept his team in the game and improved his command by not walking a batter. Eldridge Armstrong (San Diego State) came on in relief, pitching brilliantly. In his fourth appearance, the California native tossed 4.0 scoreless innings on 3 hits and 5 strikeouts, improving his ERA to 1.08. Armstrong’s efforts were supported by the glove of Aidan Sweatt (North Florida), who flashed the leather by making some dazzling plays defensively. The second baseman recorded multiple star-studded plays in crunch time, preventing several runs from scoring.   

The Mud Puppies were able to out-hit the Loggers, however, they continued to strand runners on base. Teddy Deters (Xavier), Matthew Fleischhacker (Mankato), and Ben Vujovich (St. Thomas) each had 2 hits. The most significant moment offensively for Minnesota came from Ben Vujovich, who slugged a devastating solo homer off Trey Frahm (Nebraska) to tie the score at 5 in the 9th.  

Pitching-wise for the Mud Puppies, Brandt Thompson (North Iowa Area CC) made his third and arguably best start of the summer. The hard throwing righty tallied 6.0 innings, surrendering 4 earned runs on 1 walk and 11 strikeouts. One mistake cost Thompson a nearly flawless outing; a clutch three-run dinger by Xavier Casserilla (Wichita State) in the 6th inning. Miles Halligan (Xavier) threw 2.0 scoreless frames and Ryan Lambert (NIACC) took the loss.  

On top of Casserilla’s go-ahead blast to right-center field, Aidan Sweatt contributed offensively by going 2-3 with a double and Coby Morales (Washington) went 1-3 with a double and 2 runs scored. In the 9th, during a tie ball game, Dylan King (North Carolina) singled, Landon Wallace (Nevada) walked, and Aidan Sweatt was intentionally walked to juice the bases. Jack Haley (Cal State Fullerton) then worked a walk to win the contest in dramatic form.  

The scorching hot Loggers travel to Eau Claire today in hopes of extending their winning streak to six games. The first pitch is set for 6:35pm CT at historic Carson Park.