For immediate release: Rafters edge out victory in Traverse City, end the Michigan road trip with a win
Wisconsin Rapids, WI— Rafters pull off a terrific victory in Traverse City to take down the Pit Spitters 5-4. They were out hit 8-6, but found a way to win.
Jacob Rosenkranz got the start on the mound and recorded 2 strikeouts. Logan Schulfer took over the pitching duties in the 4th inning and tallied 3 more strikeouts. This game was played at a high level defensively through 6 innings of baseball, there were not many hits and no runs scored.
The top of the 7th came around and the Rafters broke through. Brendan Bobo got the bats rolling with a double into right center field. Broussard then bunted on the 3rd base line as he got to 1st and Bobo advanced to 3rd. Right after that the 1st baseman, Jack Gurevitch, lined a ball into center field to send Bobo home. Shane Taylor was shortly up after and he made his mark once again. He saw the 1-0 pitch come right down the plate and belted a ball into left field for a 3 run home run, his 3rd of the season. Wisconsin Rapids took a commanding 4-0 lead through the top of the 7th.
The game was unfortunately a long way from over as the Pit Spitters came storming back in the bottom of the 9th. A couple walks allowed runners to get on base. Traficante walked and sent Orzech home from 3rd. Erikson got home on a fielder’s choice. Another run scored and just like that it was 4-2. Parker Brousius was then up and smashed a ball into left field to send 2 runners home. The Rafters gave up 4 runs and the score was 4-4 heading into extras.
Extra innings came around and Conniff already started from second. On the second pitch of the inning, Conniff stole 3rd and a passed ball at the bag allowed Conniff to get home. The Rafters took a 5-4 lead. The bottom of the 10th came and there were 2 outs with a runner on 3rd. A ground ball was driven up the middle and the shortstop, Garrett Broussard, made a miraculous turnaround throw to get the runner out at 1st. The Rafters pulled off the victory.
************************************
Know some top athletic performances? Seeing some great teams in action?
We can use your help, and it’s simple. Witness some great performances? Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area?
Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
Nominate an athlete or team: HERE
**********************************************
Pancakes or Waffles! We feature top area athletes with our world-renowned feature. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
College Athlete Roundup! We want to recognize student-athletes from the area who are competing at the college level. Send us information on college athletes from the area with our simple form HERE
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach, or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
