Bullfrogs Drop Close Contest; Harrison Twirls 7 1/3 Strong Innings in Debut
May 26, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release
Ryan Donovan of the Green Bay Bullfrogs Takes his Lead
(Green Bay Rockers)
Green Bay, Wis.- The opening night affair was a sell-out, with a paid attendance of 1,507 fans, ranking in the top 10 of crowds in Bullfrogs history. The Bullfrogs lost a 4-1 decision to the visiting La Crosse Loggers in a game in which the pitching dominated the headlines. After giving up four runs in the first two innings, Garrett Harrison tossed over five scoreless innings to keep Green Bay in the game until the very end.
Three Bullfrogs batters also tallied two-hit games. Marian University's, Earl Vorpagel, pleased the home crowd with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate that included a beautiful bunt single down the third base line. Caleb Ratzman had base hits in his first two at-bats and scored the Bullfrogs lone run. And Matthew De La Rosa, the Lenoir-Rhyne Bear, struck two hits using all sides of the field from the left-side of the dish.
On a night where fullback John Kuhn signed autographs and took pictures with fans prior to the game, the Loggers got the bats going early. Field Manager Bill Sandillo's Loggers scored their first run in the opening frame after an RBI single from second-baseman, Jordan Zimmerman. They padded their lead with three runs in the following inning including a 2-RBI knock from designated hitter, Graham Spraker.
Caleb Ratzman's two-out rally in the third inning sparked the only inning in which Green Bay scored. Paul Jacobson hit home the speedy Ratzman from first with an RBI double off of starter, right-hander Ben Ritchey. In five innings, Ritchey allowed one earned run, on eight hits, and six strikeouts. In relief, Jake Fromson (Missouri State) and Liam Carter (Missouri) each hurled two shutout innings.
The biggest threat staged by Green Bay to score more runs came in the fifth inning when they loaded the bases with no outs, but failed to score after a strikeout and two fly outs ended the rally. Six of the nine Bulllfrogs starters recorded at least one hit, as the team matched La Crosse's eight team hits.
After Green Bay's Garrett Harrison tossed 7 1/3 innings, St. Petersburg College's own, Jeremy Graf, brought his side-winding delivery to the mound for the Bullfrogs, and finished with 1 2/3 frames of shut out baseball.
Field Manager Skip Handelsman's Bullfrogs battle La Crosse for a second game at Joannes Stadium for a first pitch of 6:35PM. It's a "Guaranteed Win Night" which means a free ticket is assured to all fans if the Bullfrogs don't come away with a win. On May 28-29, Green Bay hosts the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League North Division.
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 Ryan Donovan of the Green Bay Bullfrogs Takes his Lead |
Northwoods League Stories from May 26, 2015
- Growlers Drop Season Opener at Madison - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Bullfrogs Drop Close Contest; Harrison Twirls 7 1/3 Strong Innings in Debut - Green Bay Rockers
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- Lakeshore Chinooks Use Big 8th Inning to Win Opener - Lakeshore Chinooks
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- Rafters Postponed After Rain Hits Witter Field on Opening Day - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Rafters out to Open Season on a High Note - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- John Kuhn to Appear at Joannes Stadium on Opening Day - Green Bay Rockers
- Hill Gets the Nod for Mallards on Opening Night - Madison Mallards
- Kingfish Host St. Cloud Rox at Simmons Field at 7:05 p.m. Tonight on Opening Day - Kenosha Kingfish
- Three Players Added To Bullfrogs Roster - Green Bay Rockers
- Mallards Announce Partnership with Impact Networking for 2015 Season - Madison Mallards
- Bullfrogs Commence Second Year Under Tutelage of Skip Handelsman - Green Bay Rockers
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