Duluth Huskies manager Adam Stahl saw possible salvation in the ninth inning Friday at Wade Stadium.
The Huskies wanted redemption for their transgressions in a 2-1 ninth-inning loss Thursday to the La Crosse Loggers.
Duluth had been shut out for 15 straight innings until RBI doubles in the eighth inning Friday by Jason Haniger and Braydon Drake narrowed the Loggers' lead to 3-2. In the ninth, the Huskies had runners on first and third with two outs.
"I thought the baseball gods were going to take care of us," Stahl said.
Duluth's desires weren't fulfilled as Ryan Jones struck out and the Loggers held on for a 3-2 win in a Northwoods League game on a chilly night before 641 fans.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We've been slumping the last few games," said Drake, who finished 1-for-3. "You've got to credit [Loggers pitcher Justin Walker]. He was locating [his pitches] and he had good stuff tonight. One good thing is that we put a few timely hits together and hopefully that gets us started back up."
The Huskies entered the game tied for second in the Northwoods League with a .265 batting average, but had trouble finding the answer for Walker, who had a no-hitter through five innings and finished with seven strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.
"I've been feeling good, confident," said Walker, who pitched 30 innings without giving up an earned run until the eighth. "I know they are a good-hitting club, and I was happy to give up only one walk."
Huskies right fielder Nick Sullivan broke up the no-hitter when he singled to left with one out in the sixth inning, but Chris Dove promptly lined out to shortstop Kyle Van Dusen and Sullivan was doubled off first base to quell the potential rally.
The Loggers (11-11) had little success against Huskies starter Tim Clubb until the seventh inning. La Crosse led off with three straight singles from Cole White, William Bowman and Jesse Hart. Dan Buchholz followed with a three-run double to deep center field, and the Loggers took a 3-0 lead.
La Crosse closer Don Erdall earned his Northwoods-leading eighth save after striking out four in 1 2/3 innings.
"I thought [Erdall] came out flat tonight and I thought we could get to him, but he dialed it up," Stahl said.
After going 7-3 in their last 10 games, the Huskies (13-9) have dropped two straight.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I'm not going to lie [Thursday's loss] hurt," Stahl said. "But it feels good to get a few runs tonight. Hopefully, we can carry the momentum over to the next game.
The Huskies host the Rochester Honkers (11-11) in the final two-game series of their season-long six-game homestand at 7:05 p.m. today and 4:05 p.m. Sunday.
In the North Division, Duluth remains a half-game behind St. Cloud (14-9), which fell to Mankato 5-4 Friday.
