Waterloo, IA – The Loggers’ relentless offense was powered by home runs from Mana Lau Kong, Eli Small, and Logan De Groot as La Crosse swept Waterloo 12-8 in the series finale.
After scoring 18 runs in game one of the series, La Crosse trampolined ahead in the top of the first with an infield single from Savion Flowers and a two-run home run from Mana Lau Kong to put the Loggers up 2-0.
In the bottom of the first, Waterloo responded right away. Collin Brightwell singled with one out, then moved up on a Caleb Parker single. One batter later, Bubby Dosztan-Campbell pushed a single to right to bring Brightwell in to cut the lead to 2-1. In his first Bucks at-bat, Anthony Massa ripped a double to right to even the tally at 2-2.
In the bottom of the second, Waterloo took the lead. Jack Coluzzi singled to start the party, then moved up on Caleb Seibers’ single. Larry Edwards followed with a single to load the bases before Brightwell doubled to bring home a pair to give the Bucks a 4-2 edge. Next man up, Parker grounded a two-run single right back up the box to plate two more to double the lead, 6-2.
In the top of the fifth, La Crosse grabbed the lead back. A walk and a single started the inning, then Eli Small blasted a three-run homer to right to level the score at 6-6. A hit by pitch and two walks loaded the bases before Eason Hurd lifted a sacrifice fly to center to put the Loggers in front 7-6.
In the top of the sixth, La Crosse padded their lead. A single and an error put two on before a passed ball let a run score to make it 8-6. Next man at the dish, Lau Kong blasted a long single off the wall in right to bring a runner in to push the lead to 9-6. Next up at the plate, Small lined an RBI single to center to make it 10-6.
In the home half of the inning, the Bucks crawled closer. Edwards worked a one-out walk, then moved up on a single and scored on a throwing error to make it 10-7.
In the top of the seventh, the Loggers put the game out of reach. Geno Bianco walked with one out, then Logan De Groot launched an opposite field two-run home run to bring the lead to 12-7.
The Bucks tacked on a run in the bottom of the ninth but the deficit was too much to overcome as La Crosse swept Waterloo 12-8 on Monday night.
With the loss, the Bucks got to 24-33 overall and 10-14 in the second half of the season. Waterloo heads up to Mayo Field for their next series against Rochester. Game one of the two-game series is set for Tuesday at 6:35 pm. Both starters are TBD.