Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Dewees' Grand Slam Lifts Rafters over Mallards on Sunday

August 4, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI- Donnie Dewees (North Florida) belted his first grand slam of the season and added five-RBI on the night as the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (29-34, 10-18) withstood a furious rally by the Madison Mallards (37-26, 16-13) to earn a hard-fought 14-10 victory Sunday afternoon at Witter Field. The win is the third for the Rafters in their current eight-game home stand and moves Wisconsin Rapids to 2-5 this season against Madison - The Rafters have won two of the last three games between the two clubs and was their first at Witter Field.

Sunday afternoon was wacky evening at Witter Field as the Rafters jumped out to an early 9-1 lead, courtesy of a five-run fourth inning that included four singles and a triple by Michael Jurgella (Saint Cloud State), to give the Rafters the early advantage.

Starter, Derek Kawlewski (Indian Hills CC), found himself in some trouble in the fifth inning as the first six batters of the frame reached base for the Mallards, including a bases-clearing double off the center field wall for Joe McCarthy (Virginia) to make the score, 9-4. Drew Weeks (North Florida) reached on a single and Mike Fitzgerald (Indiana State) loaded the bases after a throw by Marcus Wheeler (Kansas) pulled Riley Spetz (UW-Stevens Point) off the bag. The Mallards would go on to score five runs in the frame, successfully bringing the score to within three, 9-6.

Madison would add four more runs in the six and seventh innings, including a solo home run by former Rafter, Alex Bacon. The home run was the first of the season for Bacon in a Mallards uniform and tied the game in the seventh, 9-9. Madison would get one more run across in the seventh after Eric Forgione ripped a single through the left side and was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Ruchim (Northwestern). The sacrifice fly gave the Mallards their first lead of the game, 10-9; the eight-run deficit was the largest lead the Rafters have given up this season.

The lead would be short-lived, as the Rafters would send eight batters to the plate in the seventh inning to regain the lead. After Jurgella opened the inning with a ground out to second to begin the seventh. Zack Belanger (Long Beach State) reached on a walk and Wheeler added his third base hit of the inning a line-drive that flared over the glove of Mallards second baseman, Forgione. Cort Brinson (Northwestern State) recorded his second hit on the inning on a bunt single down the left field line that Brock Stewart (Illinois State) couldn't handle to load the bases. Spetz would follow with a strikeout for the first out of the inning and Charlie Naso walked George Ragsdale (Virginia) on four-straight pitches to walk in the tying run and bring Dewees to the plate.

After a chess move by Mallards manager, Donnie Scott, Madison summoned reliable closer, Danny Sullivan (Davenport University), to the hill to face Dewees. Sullivan fell behind 3-1 before Dewees belted his 12th home run of the season over the center field wall for a grand slam to give the Rafters the lead, 4-0. The home run for Dewees was his third in as many nights and gave him five RBI on the evening.

From there, field manager, Jake Martin, called upon Tyler Willman (Western Illinois) to toss the final two innings. Willman became the fourth bullpen arm of the evening used by Wisconsin Rapids and twirled two shutout innings while issuing just one base hit to earn the no decision and give the Rafters the win, 14-10.

Wisconsin Rapids clubbed out an 18-hit attack on the evening while stranding just seven base runners. The 18-hits by a Rafters club ties the season high for hits in a season and the first time since a 16-11 win July 16 against the Green Bay Bullfrogs.

The Rafters will conclude an eight-game home stand on Monday night at Witter Field when Wisconsin Rapids and Madison Mallards finish a two-game series. Monday's game is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch, with Brad Stroik (UW-Stevens Point) toeing the rubber for the local nine. Rafters fans can listen to tomorrow night's ballgame by tuning into 1320 AM WFHR or by tuning into the leagues YouTube channel.

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. The Rafters will play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2013. Available quantities of all promotional giveaways will vary from event to event and will be available on a first come, first serve basis.  The best way to guarantee giveaway items is to purchase a 9-Game Package.  The offseason office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.



Northwoods League Stories from August 4, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central