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Northwoods Green Bay Rockers

Harrison to Make First Start against Chinooks

July 24, 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- Green Bay (33-22/11-9) is now just 3-4 against the Lakeshore Chinooks (26-30/9-15) this season as the clubs meet against tonight at 7:05PM.

Garrett Harrison (LHP/St. Cloud State) starts against Lakeshore's Kevin Long (RHP/Lehigh) in what is likely to be the last time these clubs match up the entire 2015 season.

Brunner Cannot Overcome Fifth Inning Trouble

The Bullfrogs lost last night's opener after the all-star break by a score of 6-3. Sam Brunner (RHP/Dayton) entered the start having tossed seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 win over St. Cloud in his previous outing.

But unlike last start, command was a major issue for the veteran starter. After giving up runs in innings number two and three, Brunner kept pitching into the fifth after the Bullfrogs had tied up the game 2-2.

Brunner allowed a leadoff fifth inning double to Anthony Massicci (Cansius), followed by an RBI single from Lucas Raley (Lake Erie).

With the Chinooks still knocking, Colby Fitch (Louisville) rapped a triple to tally another run, and Jake Romano (Miami-Ohio) found the short porch in right field to serve up a two-run home run, moments after a mound visit from pitching coach, Luke Prihoda.

After five innings, the Bullfrogs trailed 6-2 and could not crack the code on reliever, Ryan Dunne (John Logan) who went four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts.

Green Bay roared their heads in the ninth inning with a triple from Brian Celsi (California) who scored on an RBI single from Desi Ammons (Belmont). Leading to a final score of 6-3 in favor of Lakeshore.

Sam Brunner (4-3) suffered the loss as Jake Tuttle (UW-Milwaukee) (2-1) picked up the victory.

Harrison Hurls After Starting All-Star Game

What an incredible season for Garrett Harrison. His 1.14ERA leads the Northwoods League, but out of all the pitchers in the top 10 for ERA, he has the fewest innings pitched.

The reason for that is because he was skipped last time through the rotation, requiring rest because he started last Tuesday's all-star game in Wisconsin Rapids.

This start is the first time Harrison will pitch at home since June 22nd when he tossed 6 1/3IP scoreless against the Kingfish. In 13 2/3IP at Joannes Stadium this campaign, Harrison has yielded a total of just two earned runs.

And even more brilliantly, he has won his last four decisions, half of which have come against the Kenosha Kingfish, three of them on the road. In his third year as a Bullfrog, Harrison is truly the ace.

And he pitches with a fresh bullpen behind him for the later innings. Jack Mahan (Eckerd), Jake Stolley (Northwestern), and Jeremy Graf (Flagler) did not pitch in last night's contest.

At the plate, Logan Taylor (Louisville) upped his season average to .322 (39-for-121) with a 2-for-5 performance yesterday. And Brian Celsi flashed his power with a double and triple, both hit with two outs.

A recurring issue has not been individual offensive showings, more so, it has been the stranded runners on base, and more specifically in scoring position. In a close 6-3 loss last night, the Bullfrogs left 13 men on the bases.

With still a solid 1-9 leading into the final 17 regular season games, the Bullfrogs still might have hopes to potentially add another middle infielder on to the roster.

Lakeshore Showed The Team They Could Be

Last night was a perplexing game because it showed how good the Chinooks are at times. Locked in a scenario in which they need to win out to have a shot at making the playoffs, an inconsistent bullpen and weak back end starting pitching has caused their second half downfall.

One of those variable starters is Kevin Long (Lehigh). Long brings in a 1-2/5.40ERA/21 2/3IP/22H/18K-10BB slash line to the table. He let up five runs in three innings against Green Bay on June 24th.

There is no doubt about it, he has not been very good, and his only start in which he has yielded a run or less was on July 3rd against the scuffling Kalamazoo Growlers.

What last night did show is that the Chinooks have some bullpen options, but most notably they can hit. Jake Romano, not even their most seasoned hitter, was the guy who had the big two-run home run last night.

And others such as Massicci and Raley are clearly some of the best hitters in the Northwoods League. There are others such as Jack Benninghof (Arkansas) who have struggled, but have the potential to turn things around. And now the Chinooks are also experimenting with putting former relief pitcher, Andrew Shaps (Arizona State) in the starting lineup at outfield.

Whatever their future holds, the Bullfrogs hope to shut them down for the fourth time this season and split the eight-game season series.

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 24, 2015


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