Loggers Blow by Mallards
Published on July 17, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
La Crosse Loggers News Release
LA CROSSE, WI -- La Crosse (6-7) used 12 unanswered runs to defeat the Madison Mallards (10-5) on Tuesday.
Madison struck first in the top of the second inning. Brock Stewart (Illinois State) reached on an error and catcher Jason Goldstein (Illinois) promptly roped a double to left-center. Back-to-back singles by Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) and Eric Forgione (Washington) then brought home Stewart and Goldstein.
Mike Reuvekamp (California) drew a walk to load the bases for lead-off hitter and the Northwoods League leading hitter John LaPrise (Virginia). The freshman came through with a two-RBI single and pushed the Mallards lead to 4-0.
The early deficit did not faze the Lumbermen. Center fielder Johnny Bekakis (Long Beach State) got things started in the bottom of the second with a single. After a walk to Nick Day (Iowa), left fielder Troy Traxler (Minnesota) took Greg Welsh's 2-2 fastball into the right-center gap. The double scored two and cut Madison's lead in half.
Following the rough second inning, La Crosse starter Steve Hagen (Wooster) settled in to retire 12 of the final 17 batters he faced. The junior scattered seven hits and two walks while striking out four. Hagen picked up his league-leading sixth win of the season in the Logger win.
La Crosse started pulling away in the bottom of the fourth inning. It all started with a first pitch two-run homer by designated hitter Zack Rivera (Long Beach State). With two outs the Loggers had five straight batters reach base, four by hits and one by walk, en route to four more runs. Kevin Zak (Grand Valley State) capped off the inning with a two-RBI double.
Things escalated quickly in the bottom of the fifth. After both Day and Traxler grounded out to begin the inning, Andrew Arenson walked three straight. With one run already in and two runners on, Shawn Hunter came on in relief for the Mallards. On his fourth pitch, Zak took the southpaw deep for his sixth home run of the summer.
Ben Cejka (UW-La Crosse) scattered two hits and three runs in three innings out of the bullpen. The sophomore picked up his first save of the summer.
Kevin Zak finished the game 3-5 with the double, home run and five runs batted in. The NWL All Star is now hitting a team-best .293 on the season.
Traxler finished the night 2-5 with a double and two RBI.
Manager Jason Nell picked up his 200th Northwoods League win in Tuesday's victory over Madison.
The Loggers will travel to Eau Claire tomorrow where they will take on the Express at Carson Park. First pitch is slated for 6:35. Tune into the Loggers Radio Network where Micah Schroeder and Nick Rytilahti will bring you all of the action.
Northwoods League Stories from July 17, 2013
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- Callahan Shuts Down Mallards in Victory - Green Bay Rockers
- Honkers Fall at Home to MoonDogs - Rochester Honkers
- Bombers Nipped by Lakeshore - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Callahan Lights out in 4-2 Bullfrogs Victory - Madison Mallards
- Esquibel, MoonDogs Grind out Victory at Rochester - Mankato MoonDogs
- Johansmeier Strong in Win over Bombers Wednesday, 5-4 - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Ditman Baffles Rafters as Woodchucks Shutout Wisconsin Rapids, 12-0 - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Ditman Hurls Shutout, Chucks Defeat Rafters 12-0 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Huskies Announce Game Time Change for July 19, 2013 - Duluth Huskies
- Mallards Hope to Bounce Back From Blowout - Madison Mallards
- Bucks Cap Improbable Win in 10th - Willmar Stingers
- Blue Anchors Win in Walk-Off Fashion over Border Cats - Alexandria Blue Anchors
- Blue Anchors Sink Cats - Thunder Bay Border Cats
- Loggers Blow by Mallards - La Crosse Loggers
- Nyquist Joins Martin & Gregory on Northwoods League All-Star Roster - St. Cloud Rox
- Martin Homers in 16-11 Loss to Rafters - Green Bay Rockers
- Rafters Pound out 18 Hits to Earn Season Split with Bullfrogs - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
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