Bullpen trio combines for eight scoreless innings
FOND DU LAC, WI- The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (5-5) stunned the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (6-4) by scoring five unanswered runs in a 6-5 victory. The Rafters split the home and home series with the Dock Spiders.
The Rafters took a late lead with a bases empty, two out, top of the ninth rally. Jacob Hinderleider (Davidson) sharply grounded a ball to the third baseman Seth Sweet-Chick who threw the ball well over first baseman Connor Manthey’s head. Mckinley Erves (La Grange) then came to the plate and lined a ball into right field scoring Hinderleider from second as the game winning run.
The comeback win was set up by an excellent pitching performance by the Rafters’ bullpen. After Fond du Lac scored five runs in the first inning, the Rafters bullpen did not allow another run.
The bullpen trio of Daniel Frake (Rowan College), Devin Rivera (Villanova) and Nick Torres (Long Island) combined for eight innings of scoreless baseball allowing just five Dock Spider hits. Torres earned the win by pitching the final two innings including a perfect 9th inning.
Trailing 5-1 after the first inning the Rafters chipped away at the deficit. Wisconsin Rapids scored one run in the fourth before tying the game with a three run fifth inning keyed by four consecutive singles.
EJ Exposito (Long Island) and Hinderleider led the way for the Rafters both going three for four at the plate with a run. Hank Zeisler (Chapman) also chipped in two singles.
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’ 27th 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, over 250 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 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 Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). 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.
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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]
