Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Express Steal One from Rafters

June 1, 2012 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI - The Rafters struck first but lost out late to the Express Friday night in their first road test of the year at Carson Park in front of a nice crowd of 2,207.

For the second straight night, the Rafters struck first. After starting pitcher Cam Seidl (JR, Univ. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) put away the Express in the first three frames, the Rafters put together a walk and a single in the fourth to take a 1-0 lead, as Josh Cyr (JR, Univ. of North Alabama) tallied his second RBI. Eau Claire minimized the damage, however, allowing only the one run, and then quickly responded, logging their own run on an RBI single by catcher Nick Bullington.

The Rafters picked up their starter right back, plating a run on an overthrow by starter Sean Renzi in the fifth on a weakly hit ground ball, scoring Nic Barnes (FR, Univ. of Wisconsin-La Crosse) in his first start behind the plate. It was the second run given up by Express right-hander Renzi, who allowed two runs, both unearned. The stocky Central Michigan pitcher was tough to hit, allowing just two hits, but got himself into tough spots quite often, giving up five free passes and tossing two wild pitches.

Seidl, however, mirrored Renzi quite a bit. Both starters struck out five or more, walked five or more, and threw two or more wild pitches. Back-to-back wild pitches, two of three total heaved by Seidl, scored Nick Addison from second to tie the game at two-a-piece in the fifth.

Finally the Rafters were able to take and hold a lead for an inning when they scored in the seventh. After Colin Bray (FR, Univ. of South Alabama) walked and advanced on a perfect sacrifice bunt by Sean Godfrey (SO, Ball State Univ.) down the first base line, the Rafters' left fielder scored on a ground ball and a wild pitch. Then Ronnie Muck (SO, Univ. of Illinois), who came on for Seidl in the fifth, got into a groove. The righty struck out six in his 3.2 innings, coming within one of the team lead in Ks held by Tommy Organ (11). The team has piled up forty strikeouts in the first the games.

But finally, in the eighth, the Express were able to get to Muck with some small ball, stringing together multiple hits for the first time in the same inning. Neither team hit an extra-base hit all night long, but the Express put across one run on three straight singles. The Rafters, who had played a much cleaner game than Eau Claire to that point, made the most costly play of the night on their only error when outfielder Sean Godfrey overthrew third baseman Brandon Hohl trying to throw out Kyle Young, who was going first to third on a single by Schmit. The error plated two runs, and Rafters took faced first deficit of the night and first since opening night.

Despite the fourth error of the night by the Express and a Pat Kelly (FR, Univ of Nebraska) single in the ninth, the Rafters were stopped just short. Newcomer Paul Voelker came on with two on and two out to slam the door on Wisconsin Rapids, catching Brandon Hohl (JR, Univ. of Illinois) watching the third strike go by to finish things up.

While the Rafters only tallied three hits, they left nine of base: "We couldn't get that timely hit tonight. Couldn't get the big hit with guys in scoring position," said field manager Jake Martin when asked why the team didn't pick up the win.

Reliever Ronnie Muck (1-0) picked up the loss in his first decision, while Carbajal, continuing the trend of relievers picking up all the decisions for the Express, won his first game. Voelker snagged his first save.

The Rafters dropped to 1-2 and the Express improved to 2-1; both teams will square off again tomorrow, this time at Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids. 2011 Team MVP Nestor Bautista will get the starting nod. First pitch is at 6:05, as it will be the first Bull's Eye Credit Union post-game fireworks night of the year.

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 2012. Reserve your 2012 ticket packages today by calling 715-424-5400, or in person by stopping by the Rafters office at historic Witter Field. 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. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.



Northwoods League Stories from June 1, 2012


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