Northwoods La Crosse Loggers

Loggers win 4-3

Published on July 26, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
La Crosse Loggers News Release


LA CROSSE, WI -- The Lumbermen (10-9) are back above .500 following a 4-3 11-inning win over the visiting Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (6-12).

It was Wisconsin Rapids who got on the board first. Catcher Jackson Slaid (Montevallo) sent a 2-1 fastball over the right field wall for his 12th home run of the summer.

La Crosse starter, Steve Hagen (Wooster), adjusted quickly following Slaid's first inning homer. After Robbie Coman's single in the first, Hagen retired 13 straight batters, seven by way of a strike out. The junior threw seven strong innings and also finished the night with a season-high nine punch outs.

The Loggers evened things up in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs, first baseman Michael Katz stepped to the plate for his third showdown of the night with Brad Stroik. The William and Mary product sent Stroik's first pitch out of the park in a hurry to tie the game 1-1.

Michael Lowden (California) was called upon in relief of Hagen. The junior continued to excel out of the 'pen for La Crosse. Outside of a 10th inning solo home run by Zack Belanger (Long Beach State), Lowden was perfect over the course of three innings. His earned-run-average now sits at an impressive 2.94.

The ball game appeared to be in the books in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs and a 1-2 count, Katz battled back to make the count full against NWL saves leader: J.P. Feyereisen. Once again, the sophomore sensation went deep to tie the game.

With the score tied 2-2, James Guillen (USC) was thrust into action out of the bullpen for the Loggers. After hitting George Ragsdale on the first pitch, the junior surrendered a hit to Donnie Dewees (North Florida) to put runners on the corners with one out.

With Jackson Slaid at the plate, Dewees attempted to steal second base. Catcher Austin Rei's throw one-hopped past Brandon DeFazio and Kevin Zak, allowing Ragsdale to score the potential game-winning run. A Slaid single put runners on the corners once again. This time Guillen induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the top half of the 11th.

In what might have been the best at-bat of the season for La Crosse, Bobby Juan (Minnesota) worked the count back from 0-2 to full to begin the bottom of the frame. After fouling off five pitches, the right fielder sent Tyler Willman's fastball into the left-center gap for a double.

Jason Nell then called upon Eric Toole (Iowa) to pinch-run for Juan, a move that would pay off immensely. Nick Day (Iowa) singled home his Hawkeye teammate on a beautiful opposite-field hit to right. Following a walk to Rei, Mike Nadratowski (Grand Valley State) grounded into a peculiar fielder's choice, which resulted in Day being called out at third.

After a thirty minute rain delay and two extra innings, it was up to shortstop Brandon DeFazio (San Diego) to send the Copeland Crazies home happy. Brandon followed suit. On just the second pitch he saw, DeFazio singled home Austin Rei to give the Loggers a much needed 4-3 victory.

Katz finished the night 3-4 with two home runs, two RBI and two runs scored. He leads the team with 10 home runs.

Guillen picked up the victory on the mound and is now a perfect 4-0 in 2013. In addition to his five victories in 2012, James is now fifth all-time with nine wins as a member of the Loggers.

Join us tomorrow night as La Crosse tries to keep the winning streak going against the Green Bay Bullfrogs. The first pitch is slated for 7:05 with gates opening at 5:30.

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Northwoods League Stories from July 26, 2013


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