Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Moroney's Two-Hit Day Carries Rafters Past Woodchucks in Extras, 5-4

Published on June 16, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wausau, WI- Jonathan Moroney added two hits, including the game-winning RBI single in the 10th that plated Donnie Dewees, as the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters downed the Wisconsin Woodchucks, 5-4 on Sunday evening. The win made the Rafters a perfect 4-0 this season against the Woodchucks, while giving the Rafters their third win this season at Athletic Park. The win marked the first for the Rafters in extra frames this season.

The Rafters first run would come in the top of the fourth inning as Dewees led off by roping a ball to the second basemen. Kirby Taylor misplayed the baseball, as it bounced between Taylor's legs, allowing Dewees to reach on the error. The error was part of a three-error evening for the Woodchucks, including two throwing errors that allowed Rafters runners to score. Moroney added the first of his two singles in the fourth, as the Texas A&M product laced a fastball through the left side part of the infield. The ball found its way enough through the hole that Dewees could score from the second, giving the Rafters their first lead, 1-0.

Wisconsin would respond after Rafters starter, Greg Maisto, wiggled through trouble in the fifth inning as the Woodchucks hung four runs off the Aggie freshman. Josh Goosen-Brown reached on a bouncing ball single up the middle. Garrett Rucker followed with a sacrifice bunt, advancing Brown from first to second. Taylor would follow with a single that just went under the glove of Rafters shortstop, Charlie Curl, giving the Woodchucks their first run making the score, 1-1. The Woodchucks would strike for three more runs in the innings as Joey Rodriguez double in two runs, while scoring on a passed ball and a home run by Madison Carter gave the Woodchucks their biggest lead of the evening, 4-1.

Wisconsin Rapids would respond with four unanswered runs throughout the final five innings as they added tallies in the sixth, seventh and 10th to claim their second straight ballgame against the Woodchucks.

The rally began in the sixth inning after Jackson Slaid reached base following being struck by a pitch on his front shoulder. Erik Payne, marred in a 0-for-15 slump, ripped a double of the left field wall to the give the Rafters runners at second and third with two outs in the inning. The double by Payne was his third extra-base hit of the season. Jeremy Montalbano followed with a two-RBI double off the leftfield wall that drew the Rafters to within one-run, 4-3. The two-RBI by Montalbano gave him his second multi-RBI game as a Rafter.

Taylor Stell would tie the game in the seventh inning as the Texas product reached on a fielder's choice. Stell then stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by the Woodchucks catcher, Reeves. The stolen base was Stell's 16th of the year, good the Northwoods League lead. Stell would eventually score on a passed ball, evening the score, 4-4.

The game would remain tied until the 10th inning when Dewees reached on an infield hit. Jackson Slaid then sacrificed Dewees to second, setting up the game winning hit for Moroney.

With the Rafters leading in the bottom of the 10th, 5-4, JP Feyereisen would become the fifth pitcher used and fourth out of the Rafters bullpen. Feyereisen worked a perfect one, two,three 10th inning to earn his team-leading fourth save of the season. The win gave the Rafters back-to-back wins for just the second time this season and first since the last time they played the Woodchucks, May 31-June 1.

The Rafters will continue their two-game road trip as they travel to La Crosse Monday night for a 7:05 game against the Loggers. The Rafters are 1-1 against La Crosse this season after the Rafters earned a two-game split, June 2-3. Fans can listen to tomorrow's ballgame by tuning into WFRH AM 1320 as Aaron Berlin broadcasts the action.

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.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Northwoods League Stories from June 16, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central