Wisconsin Rapids, WI— It was a tremendous bounce back game for the Rafters as they slashed the Rockers 9-1. They got the bats rolling quickly and out hit Green Bay 11-4.
The North Alabama pitcher, Brycen Parrish, was given the nod as he had his best day of the season. He went 6 innings and tallied 9 strikeouts. Wittkamp cleaned up in the 7th and tallied a strikeout.
The Rats got going right from the jump in the top of the second inning. Anthony Galason had a monster day as he started off with a base hit into left field. This brought up the future UNC Greensboro player, Aiden Brewer, who jacked a 2 run home run into right center field for his first homer of the season.
The Rafters were held scoreless in the 3rd and then they struck again in the top of the 4th. Broussard led off with a double on the left field line and then this time it was Galason who came through once again. He saw the 1-0 pitch down the plate and smashed a ball into deep right field for a 2 run shot and his second home run of the season. Wisconsin Rapids jumped into a 4 run lead and the Rockers were in trouble.
There was another scoreless inning of baseball, but then the Rockers found themselves breaking through in the bottom of the 6th. Aj Anzai singled into left and shortly after, an error from Johnson brought in Anzai to score to cut this to a 3 run ballgame. A quick response from the Rats in the 7th as they had their biggest inning yet. Levi Jensen was disciplined at the plate and saw 4 straight balls to send him to first. Johnson was walked as well and then Jensen got thrown out at 2nd. Jorge De Goti also drew a walk and this brought up Brendan Bobo. Bobo was struck out 3 straight times, but was not going to be denied on the 4th time. He hit a hard line drive into the right field wall which sent in Johnson and De Goti to race home for a 2 run RBI double. Lorduy followed it up with an RbI double of his own to allow Bobo to score.
It was a home run frenzy as Anthony Galason continued his red hot day by smashing a ball into right field for his second home run of the afternoon in the 8th. He went 3 for 4 with 3 runs and 3 RBI’s. It continued in the 9th with the Florida native, Jorge De Goti, by lacing a homer into right center field for his first of the season.
It was a huge Rafters win as they improved to 11-11 in the second half. This team looked night and day different from yesterday to today. It was a big effort on both sides of the ball and played a complete game. They currently sit a game and a half out of 1st place and will take on the Woodchucks for the next 3 games.
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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]
