Wisconsin Rapids, WI— Another defeat for the Rafters as they drop their 5th straight game. This time it was the Battle Creek Battle Jacks who came into town and rained victorious over the Rats by a score of 7-5 in extra innings. The Rafters out hit Battle Creek 9-6, but could not hold the lead.
Josh Howitt was given the start on the mound and he had a terrific day. The Rafters ace went 6 innings, gave up 2 hits, 2 runs, and 5 strikeouts.
Wisconsin Rapids got the scoring going as De Goti walked and brought Brendan Bobo up. Bobo ripped a ball into right field to give himself a double and put 2 runs in scoring position. Lorduy then hit a sac fly into deep right field to allow De Goti to break open the scoring. They continued to get runs home as they grabbed another one in the 3rd. A lead off double from Ty Johnson followed by a single from De Goti put runners at the corners with no outs. De Goti was caught stealing second, but Johnson raced home to send in another run to have an early 2 run lead.
The Rats had the bats rolling once more in the 4th inning as Anthony Galason drilled a ball into left center field that hit off the wall. Returning Rafter, Aiden Brewer, made his debut today and doubled into center field to put 2 in scoring position. Conniff earned a sac fly RBI to bring in Galason to score. Wisconsin Rapids added to their lead in the 5th as Brendan Bobo smoked a home run that was 406 feet into right field. The Rafters had a 4-0 lead heading into the top of the 6th, but unfortunately that was the last time they scored in awhile.
Battle Creek cracked the scoreboard in the 6th as Howitt started to slow down. Kuhns was hit by a pitch and J.T Sokolove lined a ball into center field. The very next batter, Blake Salmon, doubled into deep right field to bring in 2 runs to score. The Battle Jacks cut the lead in half in a hurry.
Devon Jones stepped on the mound in the 7th and had a tough time finding the strike zone. He threw 3 walks in 4 batters and put the bases loaded. A swing of the bat for Sebastian Kuhns tied this game up as he singled into deep left field to score Daniels and McRae. This was a 4-4 ball game and the Battle Jacks scored 4 unanswered.
There were 2 scoreless innings of baseball and these teams were added into extra innings. With a runner already started at second. Allgeyer walked and that eventually brought up Brock Daniels with 2 runners on. Daniels lined a ball into right center field and the pinch runner, Coltrane Runner, scored. Blake McRae then stepped up in a big way. He saw the first pitch and lined a ball into left field to bring 2 more Battle Jacks home. It was a 7-4 game and the Rats were in trouble.
The Rafters did not start off well in the bottom of the 10th as De Goti and Bobo both struck out. Lorduy swung at a full count pitch and laced a hit into right field to send Johnson home. That was the last run of the night as Broussard popped out to the catcher and the game ended.
Wisconsin Rapids has dropped 5 straight games and lost 6 of the past 7.
************************************************************
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?
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
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, adminstration, volunteers, you name it. 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 HEREÂ
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]
