Rafters Out-Duel Chucks, 8-6
Published on June 6, 2012 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wausau Woodchucks News Release
WISCONSIN RAPIDS - The Wisconsin Woodchucks and Wisconsin Rapids Rafters battled back and forth all evening, but it was the Rafters who came out on top by a score of 8-6.
After Rafters' starter Cam Seidl quickly recorded the first two outs, the Woodchucks cooked up a two-out rally to take the first lead of the game. Brendon Hayden coaxed a full-count walk and then proceeded to steal second base on the first pitch to Brian Smith. Smith lined the next pitch into right field, scoring Hayden from second, and giving the "ËChucks an early 1-0 lead.
The "ËChucks did not wait to extend their lead, as they did so in their next at bat. Mike Bernal, who had a walk-off home run last night, led the inning off with a single and later scored on an infield single by center fielder Brooks Braga, making it a 2-0 Wisconsin lead.
The Rafters did some damage of their own in the bottom of the second. They led the inning off with back-to-back double by Brandon Hohl and Alex Bacon to make it 2-1. Two batters after Bacon's double, Nic Barnes grounded out, scoring Bacon from third and tying the game at two.
The score would stay tied until the top of the sixth when Chevas Numata bombed his third home run of the season over the left field wall to put the "ËChucks on top 3-2. Another run would score for the "ËChucks in the inning as Mike Bernal scored on a base hit by Greg Hamrock to take a two-run lead.
The Rafters answered right back to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth, capitalizing on several Woodchuck mistakes. Both shortstop Mike Bernal and third baseman Chevas Numata committed errors in the inning as two runs came into score for the Rafters, including an RBI single by Alex Bacon, his second RBI of the game.
The killer for the Woodchucks came in the seventh inning. The Rafters sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring four runs, as reliever Jordan Jess struggled mightily to find the strike zone. Pat Kelly and Josh Cyr both earned RBI's by walking with the bases loaded, and Brandon Hohl got a two-run single to put the Rafters up 8-4.
The Woodchucks would not go down without a fight in the eighth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Numata came through again for the "ËChucks, lining a single to left and scoring two runs, making it an 8-6 Rafter lead.
It would not matter, though, as the Rafters set down the Woodchucks in the ninth to end the game. The two teams will play two more games in the series, as they will head to Athletic tomorrow for a 6:35 game.
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