Northwoods Green Bay Rockers

Harrison Seeks to Steer Rafters off Course

July 28, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release


Green Bay Bullfrogs Pitcher Garrett Harrison
Green Bay Bullfrogs Pitcher Garrett Harrison
(Green Bay Rockers)

Green Bay, WI- Behind their true ace, Garrett Harrison (LHP/St. Cloud State), the Green Bay Bullfrogs (34-25/12-12) take on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (25-29/10-12) at Joannes Stadium. First pitch is slated for 7:05PM. Tonight is a trading card giveaway.

Officially, the Bullfrogs have only beat the Rafters one time in five tries. This is the final time these two Big Top Baseball clubs match up until August 8-9, the final regular season series of the summer.

Five Errors Gift Rafters With Runs And Win

Last night's 6-3 loss did not feel like a game that was ever out of reach for the Bullfrogs. In fact, in game one against the Rafters it felt like it was Green Bay's game to win after shooting out to an early 2-0 lead.

In the third, Logan Taylor (Louisville) walked and Robb Paller (Columbia) slugged his third home run of the year to the short porch in right field.

Five errors and extraneous mental mistakes gave the Rafters unintended scoring opportunities. It started in the third with an error at second, but no runs scored. And then with starter Austin Hancock (Lenoir Rhyne) with runners on first and third, an errant pickoff throw scored Ryan Cleveland (Georgia Southern).

Another run in the fourth inning tied up the game after Matt De La Rosa (Lenoir Rhyne) tried to catch Jake Sandlin (Southern Mississippi) outstretched off third, but threw the ball wide.

The Rafters took the lead in the fifth inning because of the fourth Bullfrogs error. This time, another by the starting pitcher Hancock scored Zack Domingues (Long Beach State).

Green Bay's offense tied it up in the fifth with a Brian Celsi (California) RBI single. Celsi was 3-for-4 in the game. With the go-ahead run just 90 feet away, the Bullfrogs did not score the go-ahead tally leading to the sixth frame.

Still locked in a 3-3 game, closer Jeremy Graf came into the game in the ninth only for the Rafters to score three times on four hits. Only three of the hits left the infield. The soft hitting rally was enough to beat Green Bay, 6-3.

Harrison Hopes To Halt Losing Skid

A three-game losing streak is the longest the Bullfrogs have endured all season. They did so from July 14-16 against Duluth and St. Cloud, and now are currently winless in their last three against La Crosse and Wisconsin Rapids.

One guy who usually ends losing streaks is Garrett Harrison. The Bullfrogs' South Division All-Star starter has been immaculate the entire season. He has never allowed more than 2ER through seven starts and has won his last four decisions dating back to June 15th.

Two of the four starts during that stretch have been wins posted against first place Kenosha.

This is the second time Harrison will pitch against the Rafters. He did so on June 2nd in which he went 8IP/6H/1R(1ER)/8K-1BB.

Harrison will also be pitching in the Major League Dreams Showcase on August 4th in Madison, WI.

Two new rosters additions within the last week give Green Bay more depth in the final 13 games of the regular season schedule.

Ray Greco (UW-Stevens Point) hit .338 (53-for-157) with the Pointers this spring and started once against La Crosse over the weekend. Given his ability to play either shortstop or second base, Greco will allow the Bullfrogs to have more defensive flexibility.

An even newer arrival is Clayton Uselman (LHP/Madison College). Clayton just finished up his freshman year and will give Green Bay a lefty bullpen arm. In 29 2/3IP, Uselman had a 3.34ERA for the Wolfpack.

With a bullpen that has been heavily used the entire month, Uselman's insertion as the fifth left-handed reliever gives the Bullfrogs another workhorse leading into a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday.

Green Bay will look for their first win against Wisconsin Rapids since July 3rd.

Rafters Johansmeier Searching For Early Season Form

Wisconsin Rapids' projected starter for game one will pitch tonight, Jake Johnansmeier (RHP/Eastern Illinois). He will try to back up another solid start from Jack Riley (LHP/UConn) who went 5IP/3ER against Green Bay yesterday.

Overall, Johansmeier has been great. He has a 5-1 record with a 3.58ERA in 47 2/3IP. But the month of July has seen his number swell.

For any Rafter with one start or more, Johansmeier's 7.54ERA (14 1/3IP) in the month is the highest. So are his 20 hits surrendered and .323 opposing batting average.

He has allowed 3ER or more in his last three appearances including on July 5th when he let up 6ER against the Woodchucks at Athletic Park.

What yesterday did prove to the Bullfrogs is that the Rafters have a much tougher batting lineup than they did in early June.

Brock Carpenter (Seattle) reached base three times in game one with two hits. Catcher Bryce Jordan (Louisiana State) also rapped two hits and scored one of the three runs in the ninth to sure up a 6-3 Rafters victory.

Not to mention, last year's Northwoods League batting champion Zack Domingues is starting to figure things out against at the plate. He scored twice yesterday with a base hit. And his defense is incredible. His exchange from glove to hand is seamless as well as his ability to cover ground on the left side of the infield.

But last night's clutch play is a bit of a rarity for the Rafters. In July, Craig Noto's club has lost 10 games by three runs or less.

Their pitching display from yesterday was also abnormal. Wisconsin Rapids has a 5.03 staff ERA on the road, the first time they had yielded three runs or less away from Witter Park since July 11th.

After the Bullfrogs play the Rafters tonight, they welcome the Wisconsin Woodchucks for a double header, Wednesday, July 29th at 11:35AM and 7:05PM.

Single game tickets are on sale now. Visit www.greenbaybullfrogs.com to purchase tickets. The Bullfrogs' business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.




Images from this story

Green Bay Bullfrogs Pitcher Garrett Harrison
Green Bay Bullfrogs Pitcher Garrett Harrison
   



Northwoods League Stories from July 28, 2015


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