Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Comeback for Naught: Rafters Lose in Extras

June 3, 2014 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Battle Creek, Mich.-The first matchup of the year between the Battle Creek bombers (2-5) and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2-5) didn ' t lack for drama as the extra inning game ended in a 5-4 Battle Creek victory. In a game that had it ' s first pitch delayed by an hour, the two teams battled deep into the night as the Rafters made a furious rally in the game to come back. After recently dropping a couple tough games, both teams were hungry for a victory and a chance to right the ship early in the schedule.

The Bombers jumped out to an early lead on a Sam Koenig (Milwaukee) RBI double in the bottom of the first. Then the fireworks began. Matt Dacey (Richmond) would golf out a solo home run in the bottom of the third. Two innings later in the 5th, Justin Stawychny (Louisana Monroe) clubbed a massive two run home run for the fourth runs scored against Rafters ' starter Jake Johansmeier (Eastern Illinois).

With Battle Creek starter Jacob Waguespack cruising through five, it looked like the Bombers would easily claim their second victory of the season. That ' s when the Rafters took advantage of Battle Creek ' s bullpen and sloppy defense. Wisconsin Rapids sent 8 men to the plate in the top of the 6th, scoring three and benefitting from two Bombers ' errors.

As the game headed to the 9th, Battle Creek sent out reliever Josh Leone to protect a one- run lead against the top third of the Rafters lineup. He made quick work of Michael Hurwitz (Illinois), and Patrick Ervin (North Florida). However, on the first pitch thrown to Erik Payne (Virginia Tech) the third baseman blasted a game tying, solo home run.

Both teams squandered opportunities from the bottom of the ninth until the bottom of the 11th. Henri Lartigue (Ole Miss) led off the inning with a single. He was eventually sacrificed to second by Sebastian Diaz. Lartigue would come around to score as Erik Payne committed a throwing error from the shortstop position (having moved there after a Patrick Ervin shoulder injury) allowing the Bombers to win their first home game of the year.



Northwoods League Stories from June 3, 2014


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