Wisconsin Rapids, WI— Wisconsin Rapids pull off a stunning victory to take down Wausau 3-2. They out hit the Woodchucks 8-3 and played exceptional on both sides of the ball.
Josh Howitt got the start on the mound and was dealing early. He threw 5 total strikeouts, but the Woodchucks drew 1st blood in the bottom of the 3rd. Wausau 1st baseman Jake Baker, was hit by a pitch and a couple walks came after that. That allowed the bases to be loaded with 1 out. A passed ball from Josh Howitt had Baker dart home from 3rd and give the Woodchucks a 1-0 lead.
The Rafters found themselves not finding any momentum on the offensive side until the 6th inning. Levi Jensen singled to left field and Ty Johnson doubled into right. The Rafters had runners on 2nd and 3rd with Brendan Bobo up. Bobo has been struggling prior to today, but this time at bat he was not going to be denied. On the first pitch, he belted a ball into deep left center field for a 3 run home run, his first homer of the year. The Rafters went up 3-1 and the spirits were high.
Creighton product and returning Rafter, Malakai Vetock, was brought in for the pitching duties. He tallied 3 strikeouts, but the Woodchucks came back with a run of their own once again. In the bottom of the 8th the center fielder, Dalton Pearson, who hit a home run yesterday did it once again today. He flew a ball into left center field that just had enough distance to go over the wall. The game became a 1 run ballgame.
Shane Taylor and Logan Hugo each got a hit in the top of the 9th, but unfortunately the Rafters could not cash in any of the runs in. The bottom of the 9th came around and the Westcliff product, Julian Tristan, stepped on the mound. Wausau made a quick attack as Berkland was hit by a pitch and Wallace pulled a ball into left field. There were runners on 1st and 3rd and nobody out. Tristan stepped up in the clutch and recorded back to back strikeouts. Simon Sherry was due up and the play of the game was made. Sherry hit a hard ground ball into Taylor at 3rd as he dove out to his left, fielded the ball in his glove, and gunned Sherry down at 1st. The Rafters pulled off a tremendous victory.
************************************
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]
