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Northwoods Battle Creek Battle Jacks

Rafters Get Revenge on Battle Jacks 6-2, Score 5 Runs in the 3rd Inning

July 22, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Battle Creek Battle Jacks News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI - The Battle Creek Battle Jacks (21-33, 11-9) fell to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (28-25, 8-10) at Witter Field, 6-2.

Although the Battle Jacks held the Rafters to just one run in eight out of the nine innings, a bad 3rd inning from Battle Creek hindered their chance for victory. Wisconsin Rapids scored five runs on two hits in the third, stringing together competitive at bats that forced Battle Creek into their bullpen earlier than they wanted to.

Offensively, Riley Silva (Nebraska) caused problems for the Rafters' defense. The speedy outfielder finished the night one-for-two and scored both of the Battle Jacks runs. Silva was a huge threat on the base paths, stealing four bases and scoring on a wild pitch. Silva's other run came on a nice RBI single from Jake Allgeyer, who hit a baseball right in between the left fielder and shortstop. Aside from that, the Battle Jacks struggled offensively, registering only two runs on four hits and striking out 13 times.

Although Battle Creek yielded five runs in the 3rd inning, the Battle Creek defense had some bright spots. After going through a stretch of committing 12 errors in five games, the Battle Jacks made zero errors in the field. Starting pitcher Gage Smith (Milwaukee Area Tech) faced just one over the minimum through two innings before falling victim to Wisconsin Rapids' big 3rd inning. In addition, relief pitcher Zach Frasher (St. Peters) only gave up one earned run and struck out three Rafters in three and two thirds innings of work out of the bullpen. Lastly, Dylan Howanitz (West Chester) made his final appearance for the Battle Jacks in 2023, pitching one and two thirds scoreless innings. Howanitz finished with 8 saves and made 25 appearances for the Blue and White this season, which is the most outings of any pitcher in the entire Northwoods League.

With this loss, the Battle Jacks lost some momentum in the playoff race, falling from second place to third place. The Dogs split their road series one game apiece with the Rafters. Despite the setback, Battle Creek is still 3-2 through the first five games of their seven-game road stretch. The Battle Jacks will begin their final leg of the road trip on Saturday against the Green Bay Rockers.



Northwoods League Stories from July 22, 2023


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