La Crosse Loggers All-Star first baseman Derek Melton was

recovering condition Tuesday night after having surgery to repair three damaged vertebrae in his neck, according to an update posted on a Web site
affiliated with Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Melton, 21, was injured about 5:30 p.m. Sunday while diving into shallow water in the Mississippi River at Pettibone Beach. Melton had been playing volleyball on the team’s day off.

Also according to the Internet post (www.caringbridge.org), Melton has been unable to move his lower body since the accident. During surgery, it was found that Melton had suffered a fracture of one vertebrae and displacement of two others. However, there was no damage to his spinal cord. Two bolts and a wire were inserted to stabilize the damaged vertebrae.

Melton, a junior at the University of Evansville (Ind.) is in his first season with the Loggers.

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