Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Four Run 10th Inning Sinks Rafters in Extra-Inning Loss to Loggers

Published on June 18, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI- The Rafters three-game winning streak came to a screeching halt Tuesday evening at Witter Field as the Rafters dropped a heart-breaker to the La Crosse Loggers in extra innings, 9-5. Rafters right handed pitcher, Justin Peters, threw six and two-thirds strong innings and didn't issue a walk, but the Rafters bullpen combined to toss five free passes in the final two frames that led to six Loggers run.

La Crosse jumped out to an early lead as the Loggers scratched across two runs against Peters in the fourth inning. Iowa Hawkeye, Nick Day, reached on a fielder's choice and Kevin Zak followed with a double that hugged the left-field line that gave the Loggers runners at second and third with nobody out. Brandon Defazio would earn his 10th RBI of the season when the Loggers shortstop bounced a ball up the middle that scored a run from third. The bouncing ball gave the Loggers their first lead, 1-0. Long time Rafters nemesis, Bobby Juan, would continue the Loggers offenses after Juan lifted a line drive up the middle that fell for a hit, giving the Loggers a 2-0 lead at the end of the fourth inning.

The Rafters would respond with three unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings as Donnie Dewees led the fifth inning off with a home run. The home run by Dewees was the second of the season for North Florida prospect and second at Witter Field. The home run by Dewees moved the Rafters to within one run, 2-1.

Erik Payne continued his hot hitting ways as the Virginia Tech infielder launched a double into the right-center gap that one-hopped the wall. The double by Payne was the second in his last three games, and gave the Rafter a three-game hitting streak. Jeremy Montalbano would follow with a well-struck line drive to right field that advanced Payne from second to third. Montalbano would come around to score on an RBI double by his Texas teammate, Taylor Stell. The double by Stell broke a 0-for-12 streak and gave the Dallas, Texas native his third extra-base hit of the year and 11th RBI.

The game would be a back-and-forth affair the rest of the way as Jonathan Moroney clubbed his first home run of the season in the seventh inning. The home run was part of a two-RBI evening for Moroney that also included an RBI single in the ninth inning that tied the ballgame. The two-RBI night was the second for Moroney in just his fifth ballgame with the club.

The Rafters bullpen, which had been the teams strength the during the three-game winning streak, came undone in the ninth and 10th inning as the Loggers added six crushing runs. Rafters closer, JP Feyereisen was unavailable after throwing back-to-back days against the Wisconsin Woodchucks and La Crosse.

The Rafters will continue their three-game home stand tomorrow when they host the Wisconsin Woodchucks for a double header Wednesday evening. The first game will be a continuation of a postponed ballgame from June 15. The Rafters and Woodchucks will pickup the game in the top of the third inning with the Rafters leading the ballgame, 1-0. The second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game no. 1.

Fans can listen to tomorrow's broadcast by tuning into home of the Rafters WFHR AM 1320 as Aaron Berlin broadcasts both games.

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.

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Northwoods League Stories from June 18, 2013


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