Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Express Ride 14-Hit Attack to Down Rafters, 9-1

Published on July 13, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Eau Claire, WI- Led by four Rafters errors, the Eau Claire Express used a 14-hit attack and left 13 runners on base to down the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Saturday evening at Carson Park, 9-1. The loss dropped the Rafters to one game below .500 while bringing the season series against the Express to 4-3 on the year. The two teams will conclude a three-game series tomorrow evening at Witter Field.

Brandon Schmidt labored through five innings of work as the Central Arkansas product struck out five batters and scattered just six hits, stranding seven runners. The big out for Schmidt occurred in the third inning after Blake Schmidt laced a single to left field to lead off the inning. Daniel Kihle followed with his second hit of the day when the Goddard, Kan. product roped a double to centerfield to plate Blake Schmidt from first base for the games first run. Schmidt would walk two of the next three batters to load the bases with just one out and retired Baylor's Matt Menard on a strikeout and Tim Wise on a fielder's choice to end the Express threat, stranding the bases loaded.

Rafters pitching labored throughout the evening as the Express offense led off the last five innings of the game with a lead off runner, three of which were helped by lead off walks off from the Rafters pitching staff. All three of those walks would come around to score runs.

The Rafters first run of the game wouldn't come until the fifth inning when George Ragsdale reached on an infield hit. Marcus Wheeler followed with a walk to give the Rafters runners at first and second with one out. Cort Brinson collected the Rafters only RBI of the night when the Northwestern State left fielder lifted his second base-hit of evening to right field. The single brought around Ragsdale to plate the Rafters only run of the game to draw the game to within one, 2-1.

The game remained close until the seventh inning when Menard reached on a walk and Wise reached on an error by Derek Kawelski to give the Express runners at first and second. The runners were part of a four run, three-hit inning that the Express sent nine men to the plate. Kawelski did not retire a batter in the inning as he departed after allowing a base hit to Mike Porcaro. Kawlewski allowed four runs over the single inning pitched before yielding way to Nick Kolarik.

Kolarik would record the all three outs of the big seventh inning by striking out Blake Schmidt and retiring Sam Haggerty and Chane Lynch on fly ball outs, respectively. The inning effectively pushed the lead to 7-1 and the Rafters never made a run afterwards.

The two teams will resume the three game series tomorrow afternoon when the two clubs meet for the seventh time this season at Witter Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. and fans can listen to tomorrow nights broadcast by tuning into the leagues NWL YouTube channel or listen to the radio broadcast on WFHR AM 1320.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Northwoods League Stories from July 13, 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