Northwoods La Crosse Loggers

Hometown Hero Lifts La Crosse

July 28, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
La Crosse Loggers News Release


On a night where Bobby Juan became the Loggers all-time hits leader, he also led the club to a 10-7 victory over the visiting Green Bay Bullfrogs (7-14).

Back-to-back hits in the top of the second gave Green Bay and early 1-0 lead. Third baseman Tripp Martin doubled down the right field line and designated hitter Robert Youngdahl singled him in four pitches later.

La Crosse starter Josh Frye (Long Beach State) settled down to retire seven of the next nine batters following the run.

The Loggers (11-10) struck back in the bottom of the third. With two outs, Mike Nadratowski (Grand Valley State) singled to center and advanced to second on an error by Trevin Sonnier. After a wild pitch by Matt Esparza, shortstop Brandon DeFazio singled home Nadratowski to tie the game.

DeFazio is now hitting an impressive .358 (19-53) with 24 RBI in situations where runners are in scoring position.

Two Long Beach State products helped to put two more on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Center fielder Johnny Bekakis started things out with a single and promptly stole second. Two batters later, La Crosse second baseman Zack Rivera took Esparza yard for his fifth home run of the summer.

After the Bullfrogs responded with a run of their own to cut the score to 3-2, the Lumbermen tallied three more runs. Catcher Austin Rei started things out with a double to deep center. Following a Nadratowski strike out, DeFazio came through in the clutch again with an RBI double down the left field line. First baseman Michael Katz and Bekakis drew back-to-back walks and the hometown hero came through with a two-RBI single.

Green Bay somehow managed to score three runs on just two hits in the top of the sixth. After Nick Torres was hit by a pitch, Martin reached on an error to put two runners on with nobody out. Frye proceeded to strike out consecutive hitters and appeared to be back in the groove of things. But second baseman Jack Parenty singled home both Torres and Martin and advanced to second on the throw home. Catcher Jake Godinez then singled home Parenty to minimize the Loggers lead to 6-5.

James Guillen (USC) came on in the seventh and struck out the first two batters he faced. His fastball touched 92 MPH. The junior then lost control and walked three straight batters to load the bases for Sonnier. A wild pitch would bring home Torres before the Bullfrog center fielder grounded out to DeFazio.

Following two more walks to Katz and Bekakis, Juan came through once again. The single - his third hit of the night - would plate Katz and give La Crosse a 7-6 lead entering the eighth.

La Crosse native Jimmy Coady came through with two strikes and the infield in. The left fielder hit a grounder between Rivera and Katz to score Parenty, who doubled to lead off the frame.

Despite two quick outs in the bottom of the eighth, the Loggers managed to score three crucial runs. DeFazio collected his third hit of the night, by way of a double, to get things going. Designated hitter Kevin Zak then singled to put runners at the corners for sophomore sensation Michael Katz. To no surprise, Katz came through with a game-winning 2-RBI double to center. Katz scored the third and final run of the inning on an error by pitcher Matt Freeman.

Mr. Juan came on in the top of the ninth, in line for his second save of the season. Despite surrendering a walk and hit, the flamethrower struck out the side and sealed the much-needed Logger win.

The Alexandria Blue Anchors will be in town this evening for a 5:05 tilt with the Loggers. Gates will open at 4:00 for the game. Tune into the Loggers Radio Network started at 4:30 for the Kwik Trip Pregame show with Micah Schroeder.



Northwoods League Stories from July 28, 2013


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