Rafters Run Over Dock Spiders, 8-2
Rats bats lead to 10th win over Fond du Lac in 2022
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – In a season where the Rafters have dominated nearly every single one of their opponents, they continued that trend at Witter Field tonight. Wisconsin Rapids finished off their home regular season schedule with an 8-2 win over the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders.
Both sides were retired 1-2-3 in order in the first inning, as Rafters starting pitcher Cooper Robinson retired the Dock Spiders on 17 pitches. He held Fondy scoreless again in the top half of the second, as the Rats bats came alive in the home half. A wild pitch that scored Garrett Broussard from third and a Brady Jurgella bases-loaded walk put the Rafters up 2-0 after two innings of play.
Both teams were held scoreless in the third inning. Cooper Robinson retired the Dock Spiders three up and three down in the top of the fourth to end his night. Robinson threw four scoreless and hitless innings while allowing three walks and striking out one Dock Spider. The Rats added on to their lead after another wild pitch scored Chris Conniff to give Wisconsin Rapids a 3-0 lead.
Cody Urban entered the ballgame in the top of the fifth to pitch for the Rafters, as he retired the side in order on just seven pitches. Then, in the home half of the inning, a Garrett Broussard solo homer, his fifth of the season, extended the Rafters lead to 4-0.
The Dock Spiders started to make things interesting in the top of the sixth inning. After three straight singles to begin the inning loaded the bases and broke up the no-hitter, Cody Urban struck out the next two batters. With two outs and the bases still loaded, Urban got a pop fly for out number three. Urban finished his night after two scoreless innings while allowing three hits, no walks, and two strikeouts.
The Rats bats were not done scoring. A Chase Call RBI single and an E7 throwing error committed by Fondy increased the Rafters lead to 6-0. Two batters later, a wild pitch scored Call from third to put Wisconsin Rapids up 7-0. Liam Alpern entered the game in relief for the Rafters in the top of the seventh, as he gave up two runs to the Dock Spiders to make it a 7-2 game. However, Alpern recovered with a scoreless top half of the eighth to end his night. The Rafters picked up their final run of the night in the home half of the eighth via an RBI fielder’s choice to make it an 8-2 game. Preston Howey recorded the final three outs in the top of the ninth to secure the Rafters win. Cody Urban picked up his first win in the cranberry and gold.
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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]
