LA CROSSE, WI – Unable to push their record to the perfect 4-0, the La Crosse Loggers will have to settle for 3-1 as they lose to the Waterloo Bucks, 7-5.
The Waterloo Bucks struck first on this first day of June. A lead-off single by Bucks center fielder Blake Burris, followed by two stolen bases and an errant throw down toward third base allowed Waterloo to score first. The Bucks would push their lead to 3-0 in the third as the first two batters, Blake Burris and Brodie Kresser respectively, hit solo home runs in their second trip through the batting order.
The Loggers, of course, kept it competitive. With the bases loaded, opening pitcher and designated hitter Ben Zeigler-Namoa (Hawaii) laced a double to deep right field, scoring two runs in the fourth to bring the game to 3-2. That would be the score going into the ninth as neither team’s offense could find a way against the opposing pitching. Bucks righty Patrick Mastrian tossed a gem tonight going 6.2 innings with 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 10 strikeouts. He looked untouchable after surrendering to Zeigler-Namoa in the fourth.
In the away half of the ninth, a bases-loaded walk would stretch the Waterloo lead to two. A Drake Westcott single that should have only scored two ended up clearing the bases after a bobble in right field allowed all runners to advance an extra base. The Bucks’ lead was now 7-2.
The Loggers, as they did before in this game, refused to go down quietly. They quickly loaded the bases through the first four batters, just in time for Seth Cox (Memphis) to hit a (almost grand slam) double off the wall in left-center field, clearing the bases and bringing the score to 7-5. The score would stay put there however, as the Bucks were able to secure the third out before any more damage was done.
Still atop the Great Plains East division standings, the La Crosse Loggers head to St. Cloud to face the Rox on June 2 and June 3.
