Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Dewees Leads Way as Rafters Derail Eau Claire, 13-5

Published on August 2, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI- Donnie Dewees (North Florida) had three base-hits and three-RBI, including a two-run home run in the bottom in the second inning, as the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (28-33, 9-17) earned their sixth win of the season against the Eau Claire Express (28-33,16-11), 13-5, Friday night at Witter Field. The win successfully gives the Rafters the season series against the Express, 6-3, while moving their record on the current home stand one-game within .500 at 2-3.

Taylor Stell (Texas) and the Rafters wasted no time ruffling the feathers of the Express starter, Taylor Lehnert (Central Michigan), 6-3, as Stell, George Ragsdale (Virginia) and Dewees each had singles up the middle as Wisconsin Rapids struck for two early runs in the first inning of three hits to take the early lead, 2-0.

Lehnert, pitching for the third time this season against the Rafters, labored all evening long, lasting just four innings and issuing five hits and six runs, two of which were earned. Lehnert needed 72 pitches to navigate throughout the Rafters, while facing 20 batters in his four complete innings.

Marcus Wheeler (Kansas) helped kick-start a big second inning after the Rafters third baseman reached on an error and Charlie Curl (Texas A&M) followed with a hit-by-pitch to give the Rafters runners at first and second. From there, the flood gates opened as Ragsdale would reach on a walk after a sacrifice fly by Stell that brought around Wheeler, and Curl would score on the error by Express shortstop, Blake Schmit (Maryland). Dewees concluded the four-run second inning by blasting his 10th home run of the year to successfully put the Rafters on top, 6-1.

Eau Claire made things interesting in the eighth inning after plating two runs in the fifth and seventh inning off Rafters starter, Brandon Schmidt (Central Arkansas), 3-2, and reliever, Kyle Larson (Dakota Wesleyan) to make the score 7-5 heading into the last of the eighth.

The eighth inning belonged to Wisconsin Rapids as the Rafters sent 12 men to plate and their first five batters of the inning came around to score as the Rafters clubbed just four base hits in the frame to deliver the knock out punch. Riley Spetz (UW-Stevens Point) pinch-hitting for Wheeler in the eighth, reached on a walk and Curl followed with a bunt single that Jose Vizcaino Jr. (Santa Clara) had trouble fielding. From there, Cort Brinson (Nortwestern State) followed by reaching on the fifth error of the ballgame by Eau Claire to load the bases. Stell would walk and Ragsdale provided the big spark when the freshman doubled down the left field line. The double was the sixth of the season for Ragsdale and gave extended his current hit streak to six games, his longest of the season.

The inning would continue to spiral out of control for Eau Claire after Jackson Slaid (Montevallo) followed with a base knock of his own, Slaid has now reached safely in his last 34 ballgames, the highest of the season for any Rafter. The six-run inning for Wisconsin Rapids was their fourth frame in their last three ballgames that the team has scored four or more runs in a single inning.

Schmidt tossed six complete innings while being charged for just three runs in his final start as a Rafter. The six complete innings marked just the second time this season Schmidt has thrown more than five full frames, with the only other occurrence happening on July 17 against the Wisconsin Woodchucks.

The Rafters will continue an eight-game home stand on Saturday night at Witter Field when Wisconsin Rapids and Eau Claire Express conclude a two-game series. Saturday's game is scheduled for a 6:05 p.m. first pitch, with Greg Maisto (Texas A&M) toeing the rubber for the local nine. The eight-game home stand is the longest of the season and includes six games against clubs with winning records. Rafters fans can listen to tomorrow night's ballgame by tuning into 1320 AM WFHR or by tuning into the leagues YouTube channel.

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Northwoods League Stories from August 2, 2013


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