Loggers Lose on Opening Night 2-1 on a Mankato Walk-Off
June 1, 2021 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
La Crosse Loggers News Release
Opening Night for the Loggers took place on the road against the Mankato MoonDogs Monday night. A game that saw: 26 combined strikeouts, just 9 total hits and some stellar defense from La Crosse sadly led to a 2-1 walk-off loss.
Travis Luensmann (South Carolina) got the opening night nod for the Loggers. He fired 3.2 innings of 1 run ball, struck out 6 and walked just 2. The Loggers relievers were also a major headline despite the loss. Cameron Crain, (Johnson CC) Erik Demchuk, (UAV) and Marius Balandis combined for 7.0 innings, 1 run, 2 hits and 8 strikeouts.
The game was scoreless going into the bottom of the 4th when Mankato put together its first serious threat. With runners at the corners and 2 outs, Loggers manager Brian Lewis made the move to the bullpen to bring in Crain. The first pitch of his season was a wild pitch that led to a Bryce Novak (Gustavus Adolphis) run.
The Loggers would respond instantly in the top of the 5th. Darrian Escobar-Winter (Viterbo) delivered a game-tying RBI double to centerfield to make it 1-1. The score would remain the same entering the bottom of the 10th.
After the Loggers failed to push across the go ahead run in the top of the 10th, it setup a walk-off scenario for Mankato in the bottom half. With a runner at third and one out Mitchell Novak (Saint Scholastica) drilled a base hit into left field to score the game winning run for Mankato.
La Crosse will attempt to go for the series split and grab their first win of the year Tuesday night against Mankato.
6:35 first pitch. TV: NorthwoodsLeague.com. Radio: Mixlr.
• Discuss this story on the Northwoods League message board...
Northwoods League Stories from June 1, 2021
- Walks Hinder Bombers in Second Straight Loss to Growlers - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Mallards Fall to Chinooks 11-3, Split Opening Series - Madison Mallards
- Spitters Sweep to Start Season - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Mallards Host Lakeshore for Finale of Opening Series - Madison Mallards
- Loggers Fall to MoonDogs in Season Opener - La Crosse Loggers
- Booyah Set for Home Opener at Improved Ballpark - Green Bay Rockers
- Fond du Lac Travel to Green Bay - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Wheaton, Growlers Pitchers Assert Dominance in Opening Day Triumph over Battle Creek - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Kingfish Fall 6-1 on Opening Day - Kenosha Kingfish
- Honkers Rally in Ninth for Opening Night Victory - Rochester Honkers
- Platinum-Selling Artist Jimmie Allen Set to Perform at Copeland Park & Events Center - La Crosse Loggers
- Bombers Drop Season Opener against Rival - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Larks Send Kaitlyn off with Win - Bismarck Larks
- Loggers Lose on Opening Night 2-1 on a Mankato Walk-Off - La Crosse Loggers
- Woodchucks Rally in the Rain - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rafters Outlasted by Woodchucks in 10 Inning, Six Hour Season Opener - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Stingers Drop 2021 Opener at Bismarck - Willmar Stingers
- MoonDogs Edge Loggers to Win Extra-Inning Opening Day Thriller - Mankato MoonDogs
- Dominant Pitching Leads Rivets to Season-Opening Victory - Rockford Rivets
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
