Wisconsin Rapids, WI— It was a rough outing in the second game against Lakeshore as the Chinooks handled the Rafters by a score of 7-3. They were out hit 10-7.
Lakeshore jumped in front early in the bottom of the first with 2 runs of their own. The catcher, Joey Spence, doubled to left field to send in Owusu- Asiedu. Shortly after, Spence was stealing third and an overthrown ball to Bobo allowed Spence to race home. Lakeshore followed it up with another pair of runs in the bottom of the second as Grant Ross smashed a hit into left field to eventually be thrown out at second, but Cootway scored. A passed ball on the next batter gave the green light for Drew Townsend to add another run. The Chinooks had a commanding 4-0 lead and it was only the bottom of the second.
The Rafters struck back in the top of the 3rd as future Baylor product, Ty Johnson, hooked a ball into the left center field gap to bring Conniff home from 3rd. Wisconsin Rapids found their rhythm in the top of the 6th as the hits started to flood in. Johnson doubled into deep center field and Luke Hanson followed it up with a double of his own to send home Johnson from second. The very next batter, Brendan Bobo, lined a ball into right field to bring Hanson home. The rafters grabbed 2 runs back and the game was cut to a 1 run ballgame just like that.
Unfortunately the momentum was put to halt as an overthrown ball from Gurevitch to 3rd base gave the way for Townsend to score. Lakeshore continued with another run and this time it came in the bottom of the 7th. As Jared Everson was up to bat, a wild pitch from Wittkamp allowed Owusu-Asiedu to dart home from 3rd. The Chinooks got their last run in the 8th inning to cap off the scoring for the night. Adam Cootway hit a triple and Cootway also recorded a double. Both of these hits came from the Rafters outfielders not being able to see the ball because they popped up so high and they were above the lights. It was a very unfortunate circumstance.
Jacob Rosenkranz was given the pitching duties to start as he had a rough day on the mound. He gave up 4 hits, 4 runs, and 3 walks. Mitchell Wittkamp made his 5th appearance for Wisconsin Rapids and he tallied a strikeout while giving up 2 hits.
The defensive side of the ball for the Rafters really hurt them in this game as they gave up 4 errors. It was a very uncharacteristic type of day given how good they have been on that side of the ball. The Rats fell to 1-3 in the second half and 21-18 overall. Wisconsin Rapids will be at home for a while as 7 of their next 8 are at Witter Field. Starting their home stand tomorrow night, they take on an outer division foe in the Traverse City Pit Spitters tomorrow night. First pitch is slotted at 6:35
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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]
