By Lance Roth

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. — A late-inning surge powered by a Carson Ohland three-run homer lifted the La Crosse Loggers to a 9-4 victory over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters on Friday night at Historic Witter Field. The game was called after seven innings due to inclement weather.

The loss snapped recent momentum for the Rafters (6-16), who tied the game in the fourth inning but couldn’t keep pace with the Loggers (16-9) before the storms rolled in.

The Rafters offense was held to four hits on the night, but Colin Spear provided the biggest highlight for the home crowd. With Wisconsin Rapids trailing early, Spear launched a game-tying grand slam to deep right field in the fourth inning, wiping out a 4-0 deficit. 

Spear finished the night 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Zachary Gingrich added a double, and Connor Harvie contributed a single to left-center to round out the Rafters’ hits.

La Crosse broke the 4-4 tie in the top of the fifth inning. Eli Small drew a walk and Joey Senstock singled to put runners on the corners. 

A balk allowed Small to cross the plate for the go-ahead run before Ohland built the cushion, launching a three-run blast to right field—his first home run of the season—to cap a four-run frame and establish an 8-4 Loggers lead.

The Loggers originally jumped ahead in the second inning by capitalizing on free passes. After Senstock walked and Logan De Groot singled, consecutive walks to Ohland and Jake Redding forced in the game’s first run. Kelsen Johnson followed with an RBI single to left before the Rafters limited further damage by throwing Ohland out at the plate to end the frame.

Both starting pitchers kept their respective team in the mix early. La Crosse starter Sahil Patel earned the win, striking out nine over five innings of work. Patel allowed four runs on three hits, with Spear’s grand slam serving as the only home run he has surrendered this season.

Wisconsin Rapids starter Spencer Lanz battled through 4.1 innings, striking out four and giving up six runs on seven hits and five walks. 

Reliever Blaine Davis was charged with the loss after entering in the fifth. The Loggers tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh just before the weather forced an early conclusion.

The Rafters will look to split the two-game series tomorrow night at Historic Witter Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT.