Loggers Split DH, win series 3-1
 
The Lincoln Land Loggers (10-5) dropped the first game of their double header on Saturday afternoon, losing to the John Wood Community College Blazers 9-8.
 
The Blazers erupted for 6 runs in the bottom of the third inning off Logger Starter Chris Robinson to take a 6-4 lead.  The lead was extended when John Wood added single runs in both the 4th and 5th innings to make the score 8-4.
 
The Loggers did not go down quietly as they chipped their way back, scoring a run in the 6th inning on Michael Ryan's RBI double.  Lincoln Land sent all nine hitters to the plate in the top of the 7th, scoring 3 runs to tie the game 8 all.  Jake Morsch (2 for 3) drove in his third run of the game with an RBI single, and Michael Ryan and Peyton Minder worked bases loaded walks to bring in runs.
 
The Blazers scored their game winning run in their half of the 7th on a suicide squeeze bunt.  Blazer nine hole hitter Blane Ouber plated Raysean Huggins to end the game.  Logan Rearden (0-1) suffered the loss for the Loggers.
 
Lincoln Land rebounded with a win in game two, winning 8-6 to split the double header and win the conference series three games to one. Logger freshman Clay Shourd (1-0) picked up his first collegiate win,  throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of starting pitcher Konner Aherin. Shourd kept the Blazers hitless while striking out six. 
 
The Loggers led the entire game, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning and added another 3 in the 3rd inning. They finished their scoring with single runs in both the 4th and 5th innings, which would prove to be the winning runs.   Lincoln Land tallied 13 hits in the game, led by freshman right fielder Matt Sekardi who was 3 for 4 with a two run double.  Xavier Collier was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI Triple.  Tyler Ring, Ben Hecht, and Jake Morsch each added 2 hits apiece.
 
Lincoln Land head coach Ron Riggle commented after the game," Taking three of four games in any conference series is huge and I'm proud of the way we were able to bounce back after losing the first game today.  Our offense continues to put us in a position to win ball games and our defense was solid all weekend.  We still have some work to do on the mound with our pitching staff, but we are confident that we are headed in the right direction."
 
Lincoln Land will host Illinois College on Wednesday, March 30th at 6:00pm.