Rafters Blow Rockers Out of the Water in 11-3 Win
Bobo’s pair of bombs power Rafters to 48th win of 2022
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Homefield advantage is something that is used as an incentive in sports. Perhaps the team who benefited the most from homefield advantage are the hometown Green Bay Packers. However, the Green Bay Rockers did not defend their home once this season, as the Rafter went 6-0 as Capital Credit Union Park season, including their 11-3 win today.
The scoring began early for the Rafters in the top of the first. After a Brady Jurgella walk and a Nate Nankil single, Brendan Bobo launched a three-run homer, his 15th of the season, to put the Rats up 3-0. After Colin Tuft hit a double, Cael Chatham drove him in with an RBI triple. Garrett Broussard drove in Chatham with an RBI groundout to take a 5-0 lead in the top of the first.
The Rockers were able to answer back in the bottom of the first off of Rafters starter Donovan Brandl. Tristin Garcia recorded an RBI single for Green Bay to make it a 5-1 game. A Danny Wuestenfeld RBI double brought the Rockers within three. Green Bay scored their final run of the game and the inning via an RBI single from Chase Hudson to make it a 5-3 game.
Just as he has done all season long, Mr. Bobo stayed hot at the dish. He demolished a solo homer in the top of the second, his second of the day and 16th homer of the season, to put the Rafters back up by three, 6-3. After a scoreless bottom half of the inning from Brandl, the Rafters struck again in the top of third. Seth Stroh hit a solo homer, his sixth of the season, to make it a 7-3 Rats lead. A pair of RBI singles from Chris Conniff and Bobo extended Wisconsin Rapids lead to six, 9-3.
Donovan Brandl finished his day after the bottom of the third inning. He allowed three runs on five hits, three walks, and no strikeouts. Malakai Vetock entered the game in the fourth to pitch for the Rafters and proceeded to fire off three scoreless innings. He was done after the sixth, as he allowed just one hit, one walk, and struck out three.
Alec Burnett entered the game in the bottom of the seventh to pitch for the Rats, as he retired the Rockers 1-2-3. The Rafters added onto their lead in the top of eighth via a two-run single off the bat of Cael Chatham to make an 11-3 lead. Burnett again held the Rockers scoreless in the bottom of the eighth. Burnett threw two scoreless frames as he allowed no hits, no walks, and struck out four.
After a scoreless top half of the ninth, the Rafters brought Alec Mendoza into pitch in the bottom half of the inning. Mendoza, in his season debut, retired the Rockers in order to end the game. Malakai Vetock qualified for his sixth win of the season, as he moved to 6-0.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 29th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, 300 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite 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]
