La Crosse, Wisc. – The Loggers comeback in back-to-back games against the Bullfrogs at they took this one 4-3 in Copeland. Alex Shake made his second start of the season and his Copeland Park debut for the Loggers.
Green Bay advanced its first three batters of the game, but thanks to a double play and strikeout, Alex Shake (Illinois Central) escaped the early scare. But he could not get out of the 3rd undamaged. Three straight reached once again on a walk, error on a Shake throw, and a hit-by-pitch. The Loggers sacrificed a run for a double play. Brian Celsi (California) singled to bring the Bullfrog lead to 2-0.
The Loggers managed a run in the 5th when Jordan Zimmerman (Michigan State) walked and scored on a double to the left field corner by Keith Skinner (North Florida). The inning ended when Skinner was thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple.
For the second straight night, Bullfrog pitchers walked four consecutive Logger batters, scoring the tying run. Jordan Zimmerman singled and Ryan Kirby (San Diego) took his pitch to the wall, but fell short for a RBI sacrifice fly. The Loggers took their first lead of the game.
Green Bay scored one in the 7th on a RBI double by Robb Paller (Columbia), but it was not enough as Ty Provencher (Long Beach State) pitched a clean 9th to earn his 12th save of the season.
The win puts La Crosse at 16-9, still two back of Kenosha. Overall, the Lumberman are 35-24, which jumps the Bullfrogs for 2nd place. If they can secure the spot for the next 12 games, La Crosse will host a first round playoff game.
Battle Creek makes the visit to Copeland Park next. La Crosse leads the season series 4-2 over the Bombers. The two teams split their series in Copeland in June. Game time is set for 7:05. Get ready for the holiday season because it is Christmas in July at the park.