Wisconsin Rapids, WI— It was a hard fought game for the Rafters, but they fell to Madison 4-3. They could not grab many hits and were out hit 10-3.
There were 2 scoreless innings, but the Rafters struck first in the top of the 3rd. Johnson led off with a single and then did a terrific job of stealing second. The Indiana infielder, Jorge De Goti, came up clutch once again. He lined a ball into deep right field to bring Johnson racing home from second. Bobo got on base on a fielder’s choice and Gurevitch got to second on a wild throw to 1st from the pitcher. Shortly after, a wild pitcher on Broussard brought Bobo home from 3rd. The Rats took a 2-0 lead.
The Rafters added to their lead in the 5th inning as the Mallards pitcher, Tommy Meyer, had trouble finding the strike zone and instead threw 3 straight walks. Johnson, De Goti, and Bobo all got on base. With only one out, Gurevitch hit a sac fly into center field to bring Johnson home to score for the second time in the game. A 3-0 lead for Wisconsin Rapids, but unfortunately that was the last time they scored this game.
Florida native, Anthony Bennetti, got the start at pitcher and did terrific in his first start. He allowed 4 hits, a run, but recorded 6 strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. Madison grabbed a run back in the bottom half of the 5th from Jake Goolsby. He saw the 1-0 pitch  from Bennetti and laced a ball into left field for a solo home run.
Rafters brought in Brycen Parrish on the mound after Bennetti suffered a cramp in the 5th. Madison orchestrated their attack with 3 straight singles. Owen and Isiah Jackson each got a base hit. Followed by a single to center field from Nick Williams. With the bases loaded and only out, Goolsby made his mark once again. The 2-1 fastball came in and he hit a line drive into right field to send around both the Jacksons. It was a 3-3 ballgame just like that.
Madison took the lead in the 7th inning and it started with a lead off single into left field from Jackson Tucker. Hamilton was hit by a pitch and Tucker stole 3rd while Taylor was up. Keenan Taylor grounded into a double play at second, but Tucker scored. The Rafters were down for the first time in this game.
There was no coming back as Wisconsin Rapids were not able to get anything going offensively. Only a couple hits this game was not going to be enough against a red hot Madison team.
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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]
