Rafters return to Witter Field spoiled by Woodchucks in 6-3 loss
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – In their first game at Witter Field in six days, the Rafters struggled early and couldn’t come back late against Wausau.
The offense sputtered through the first seven innings of the ballgame (after getting shut out against Battle Creek the day before). Wausau Starter Caleb White spun 4.1 shutout frames and David Morrisey carded 2.2 scoreless in relief.
Wausau struck early with Austin Dearing smoking a two-run homer in the second inning, Bryce Hubbard smoking a two-run single in the third, and Vance Sheahan driving in one with a single of his own. After those swings, the score was 5-0, where it would stay until the eighth inning.
In that inning, the Rafters’ bats woke up. A Max McGwire single and Trotter Boston double chased Morrisey from the game, and then Walker Buchanan, Cashel Dugger, and Tracer Lopez each drove in a run apiece to close the gap to 5-3.
“Proud of how we competed, but maybe we needed tougher at bats early on,” said Rafters’ hitting coach Chris Willsey after the game. “But that’s kinda what we’ve been doing all summer, playing all nine innings.”
Juan Berrios allowed a run in the top of the ninth to increase Wausau’s lead to 6-3, and that’s where it would stay after Bryce Carter slammed the door in the bottom of the frame.
“We just ran into a couple arms that did their jobs, a lot of times that we got ourselves out, they got us,” said Willsey. “We gotta get a little tougher, make in-game adjustments, and after that it’s just where the chips fall.”
One key standout for Wisconsin Rapids was new Rafter Josh Novak, who tossed two scoreless frames in his Northwoods League debut. He took the baton from starter Matthew Heard, who was tagged for five earned runs in three innings and was given the loss.
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. Having completed its’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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, over 245 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 (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. 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.
*********************************************************************
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?
Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
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
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 HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
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]
