Missed Opportunities Doom Rafters

Published on May 29, 2014 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-It was a game of missed opportunities for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters as they dropped their Tuesday contest against the Kenosha Kingfish. A great performance by Rafters starter Jake Johansmeier was wasted as the Rafters left 9 men on base.

The Rafters struck first in the bottom of the third. After second baseman Michael Hurwitz led off the inning with a double the next two batters were retired allowing newcomer Patrick Ervin to step to the plate. Having already hit into an inning ending double play in the first to kill a rally, Ervin collected the first of his two RBI's on the night by stroking a single to center field.

It was a Houdini- like performance by Kingfish starter Connor Kelly. His final line was 5 IP while giving up 6 hits, 2 earned runs and striking out 4 while not walking anybody. The stats didn't tell the whole story as Kelly pitched in and out of trouble all night long.

Johansmeier had cruised through the first four innings, facing the minimum up until Zach Ratcliff led off the top of the fifth with a double. After Ratcliff advanced and stopped at third on a Steven Sensley bloop single, Johansmeier almost got out of the inning before Zack Kolakowski collected a clutch, 2-out, 2 RBI double that gave the Kingfish a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Wisconsin Rapids put together a rally in the bottom of the ninth to make things interesting. Ryan Johnston and Hurwitz picked up 2- out singles bringing the potential tying run to the plate in the form of Bobby Gregorich. Closer Brett Shimanovsky kept his cool and induced a grounder to third to record the save for the 5-2 Kingfish victory.

Northwoods League Stories from May 29, 2014

• Stingers Fall Short in Home Opener - Willmar Stingers
• Bucks' offensive outburst extends Anchors' skid - Alexandria Blue Anchors
• Rafters Walk-Off on Wild Pitch - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
• Kingfish Fall to Bullfrogs, Suffer First Loss of Season - Kenosha Kingfish
• Bullfrogs Pick up Second Straight Victory - Green Bay Rockers
• Honkers Win Second in a Row After a Gruener Gem - Rochester Honkers
• Legendary Match-Up at Copeland Park Tomorrow Night - La Crosse Loggers
• Pondick Set for First Start of Season - Madison Mallards
• Lee, Late Offense Key Stingers Sweep of Huskies - Willmar Stingers
• Blue Anchors fall to MoonDogs in series finale - Alexandria Blue Anchors
• Woodchucks Fall in 15 Innings in Finale at La Crosse, 3-2 - Wausau Woodchucks
• Mallards Fall in Second Game of Doubleheader - Madison Mallards
• Missed Opportunities Doom Rafters - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

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