Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Dewees' Triple Scores Winning Run as Rafters Take Game

August 8, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


St. Cloud, MN- Donnie Dewees (North Florida) laced a triple to center field that plated Riley Spetz (UW-Stevens Point) Wednesday night at Joe Faber Field as the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (30-36, 11-20) claimed game number one of the two-game set, 10-9, in extra-innings. The win improved the Rafters to 4-5 in extra inning games this season, while moving the Rafters to an even 16-16 in games played away from Witter Field.

In game number one, the two teams combined to score 19 runs, while striking for 28 base hits Wednesday in the extra-inning affair. Wisconsin Rapids jumped out to an early 9-3 lead, using a big five-run second inning against Rox starting pitcher, Jason Hoppe (Minnesota-Mankato). The Rafters sent 11 men to the plate, collected six base hits in the inning while pushing to lead, 5-1.

Michael Jurgella helped add to the Rafters lead in the fifth inning when the Saint Cloud State catcher, playing in front of a hometown crowd, launched an RBI double into the left-center gap that brought Derek Peake (UW-Milwaukee) home. Jugella eventually come around to score on an RBI single by Jackson Slaid (Montevallo) to extend the Rafters lead to a comfortable, 9-3.

In the scheduled seven inning affair, St. Cloud used the final two frames to their advantage, plating six runs off the Rafters bullpen after John Kravetz (Illinois) departed after striking out Blake Headley (Nebraska) in the fifth inning.

St. Cloud rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Tim Colwell led the inning off by earning a walk on four pitches. Luke Weber followed with a single that moved Colwell moved to third with one out. Another single for the Rox, this time by Blake Headley, scored one run and a single by Loxtercamp scored another making it a 9-5 game. With the bases loaded, Devin Pearson earned a walk, scoring another run to trail, 9-6. Chris Paul ended the scoring in the inning hitting a two-run single on two outs for the Rox to trail 9-8.

The Rox would tie the game in the seventh after Vincent Jackson reached on a lead off walk. Jackson would eventually be pinch ran for and tied the game, 9-9, on a single by Dustin Breshears (St. John's).

Wisconsin Rapids would combine to use four different bullpen arms after Kravetz departed. Taylor Durand (Western Carolina) earned the win in game number after twirling four innings of shut out ball before retiring Devin Pearson (California) on a fly ball to right to end the game.

In game two, it was not until the bottom of the third when the first run was scored as the Rox scored off a one out single by Devin Pearson.The Rafters tied the game up 1-1 in the top of the fifth on a solo home run over the right field fence by Zack Belanger (Long Beach State), his first home run since a July 25 extra-inning home run against the La Crosse Loggers.St. Cloud regained the lead scoring on a wild pitch as Pearson scored for the 2-1 lead. The Rox extended their lead 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth as they put up three runs on four hits.Wisconsin Rapids went three up and three down in the top of the seventh for the Rox to seal a 5-1 victory in game two.

The Rafters will continue a four-game road trip Thursday night when they open up a two-game series with the Alexandria Blue Anchors. Fans can listen to tomorrow nights ballgame by tuning into WFHR 1320 AM.

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 8, 2013


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