Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Kravetz Retires 14-Straight as Rafters Race Past Eau Claire, 5-2

July 12, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI- John Kravetz was masterful as the Illinois prospect twirled 7 1/3 innings pitched and at one point retired 14-straight batters to earn his team-leading fourth win of the season in leading the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters over the Eau Claire Express, 5-2, Friday evening at Carson Park. The win moved the Rafters back to the .500 mark on the season at 22-22 through the seasons first 44 games played. The 7 1/3 innings pitched this season by Kravetz is the most by a Rafters pitcher this season.

Before Kravetz took the mound, his offense gave him a lift as the Rafters scored four early runs in the first inning off Express starting pitcher, Peter Henrdon. Taylor Stell led off the first inning by taking a pitch off his right hand to give the Rafters a runner on first base. Donnie Dewees followed by reaching on a walk to give the Rafters runners at first and second with nobody out. Stell scored the games first run on an RBI single by Robbie Coman to give the Rafters the lead, 1-0. Dewees advanced to third on the play and came around to score on a triple by Michael Jurgella, his first of the season. Wisconsin Rapids added their final run of the inning on an RBI single by Zack Belanger to give the Rafters the early lead, 4-0.

The game would move at a rapid pace from there as both offenses struggled to scratch across a run from the second through the eighth inning.

Kravetz stymied the Express offensive attack through the first seven innings of the game as the Illinois sophomore recorded eight strikeouts throughout the seven innings tossed while scattering four hits to lower his ERA to a sparkling 2.35. Kravetz was pitching for the first time since learning he was selected to his first Northwoods League All-Star game after recording a 4-2 record through his first seven starts of the season to anchor the Rafters pitching staff. Kravetz has earned two Pitcher of The Day honors this season in his first six starts.

The Express wouldn't score their first run until the eighth inning after Kravetz left the game after giving up back-to-back base hits in the eighth inning to David Diaz-Fernandez and Blake Schmidt. The two base runners were the first for the Express since the third inning. Tyler Willman came in the game to relieve Kravetz out of the bullpen and allowed an infield hit and hit back-to-back batters to load the bases. Both runs scored in the inning were charged to Kravetz.

Rafters' reliever, JP Feyereisen, came in and relieved Willman in the eighth inning to strikeout Daniel Kihle to strand the bases loaded and end the Express threat. The strikeout by Feyereisen was part of a three-strikeout night for the UW-Stevens Point product while earning his ninth save of the season.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Rafters and improved the club to 4-2 this season against Eau Claire. The Rafters will conclude their short two-game road trip tomorrow inning when the visit Carson Park for the middle game of a three-game series between the two clubs. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and fans can listen to tomorrow nights broadcast by tuning into WFHR AM 1320.

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.



Northwoods League Stories from July 12, 2013


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