Mankato, Minn. – La Crosse continued its run of success Friday night as a four-run fourth inning would be all the Loggers would need as they won their sixth game in last seven outings with a 5-3 victory over Mankato at Franklin Rogers Park.

Mankato starter Zach Whitman (Georgia Southwestern) would not get out of the long fourth inning, as he was tagged for four hits and three earned runs in the frame. Brandon Meredith (San Diego State) had an RBI single and Chris Engell (San Diego) delivered a two-run double, before an unearned run at the expense of an errant Cody Fick (Evansville) throw would signal the end of Whitman’s night.

The MoonDogs (23-11, 0-1) would chip away at the Logger (22-13, 1-0) lead, however, scoring a run in the fifth on a wild pitch, and posting two runs in the seventh. KC Serna (Oregon) brought home AJ Pettersen (Minnesota) and Kenny Held (New Mexico) with a single, and after Danny Miller (Minnesota State) reached on an error the Dogs had runners on the corners with nobody out, trailing 5-3.

The Loggers quickly thwarted that rally, as after a pick-off attempt to first, Serna got caught in a rundown trying to score. That would be all the Dogs would muster, as Craig Crumbly (FGCU) got two big strikeouts to get out of the inning.

It was just the second time this season the MoonDogs have lost consecutive games, with the first coming four games into the season.

Justin Preckajlo (North Florida), Robert Brantly (UC Riverside) and Chris Engell (San Diego) all had two hits for the Loggers. The MoonDogs were led by Serna, who had two hits and two RBI.

Madison Boer (Oregon) picked up his first win (1-0) throwing six innings, allowing three hits and striking out five. Whitman suffered the loss (3-2) allowing four earned runs on seven hits in just three and one-third innings.

Tomorrow’s Independence Day showdown between the Loggers and MoonDogs will be a 6:05 start at Franklin Rogers Park.