Nathan Hemmerling and Brayden Bonner together threw seven no-hit innings
Wisconsin Rapids, WI – Nathan Hemmerling (Lakeland) and Brayden Bonner (Dixie State) threw a combined no-hitter, the first in the Rafters 11-year history. Both, Bonner and Hemmerling, have been with the Rafters the last three summers.
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (34-32) won both games over the Battle Creek Bombers (22-44), on the day, 7-0 in game two and 4-0 in game one. Game two started an hour after the scheduled 5:05 p.m. first pitch time due to rain and saw no Bombers hits.
Brayden Bonner made his last appearance of his Rafters career. Bonner struck out three Bombers and retired all six he faced to complete the game. The all-time Rafters save leader finishes with 27 career saves.
“I couldn’t have wished for a better way to go out,” said Bonner. “The fan base here is awesome, I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my last three summers anywhere else.”
Nathan Hemmerling got the game two start and started with three 1-2-3 innings. Only one base runner reached via an error in the fourth. Hemmerling finished with eight strikeouts.
“We all had faith in each other.” said Hemmerling “Great defense helps great pitching.”
Offensively the Rafters came through and scored three runs in the fourth and four in the sixth inning. Addie Burrow (Virginia) delivered a three-run home run in the sixth, his second of the season. Weston Eberly (Columbia) had a three-hit game, and Jake Schulz (Dixie State) blasted an RBI triple.
Game One
Game One saw a terrific pitching performance for William Haberstock (North Alabama). The right-hander went all seven innings, allowing only three base runners with none advancing into scoring position. Haberstock threw the first complete game for Wisconsin Rapids this season.
The Rafters scored four runs, three in the sixth inning. Burrow had a two-run single and McKinley Erves (LaGrange) an RBI single. Over 14 innings, the Bombers attained one hit.
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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]
