Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Rafters Win in Extras

Published on June 5, 2012 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Madison, WI - June 4, 2012 - It took eleven innings, but the Rafters won their first road game in their first trip to Madison by the score of 4-3. A deep drive to center by Pat Kelly to lead off the final inning and a misplay in the outfield gave the Rafters the 4-3 lead that they would close out in front of what was left of the 5,292 that came out to Warner Park in Madison Monday night.

The Rafters got things started in the third, as Josh Cyr (JR, Univ. of North Alabama) picked up his seventh RBI on a single, scoring Austin Neary (FR, Western Carolina Univ.). The Mallards answered with a run of their own in the bottom half, but the Rafters retook the lead in the fourth on a sacrifice fly from Jordan Dreiling (FR, Univ. of Kansas), picking up his first RBI. Then in the fifth, Alex Bacon (SO, Univ. of North Florida) powered his fourth homer of the year, which leads the Northwoods League, and picked up his seventh RBI, catching up with Cyr for the team lead at 7.

Pat Kominska shut down Wisconsin Rapids after that. The right-hander went six innings in relief for Madison, giving his team the opportunity to get back in it. The Rafters had a baserunner in every inning against Kominska, but didn't score again off of him. His work was enough to get the Mallards back into it.

After Tommy Organ (JR, Univ. of North Florida) tossed five innings of one-run ball, the Mallards got in a run in the sixth. They loaded the bases against Ronnie Muck (SO, Univ. of Illinois), who walked three of the first four batters he faced. A groundball allowed a run to score, as the throw from Brandon Hohl (JR, Univ. of Illinois) home was ruled to pull the catcher Jurgella off of home plate. Another leadoff walk scored for Madison in the eighth, this time on a drop third strike of pinch-hitter Phil Sorenson.

Madison couldn't capitalize on opportunities after that. They left a runner on in the eighth, two in the ninth, and two in the tenth, allowing the Rafters to bat in the eleventh. That's when Kelly roped a ball off of new pitcher Danny Sullivan over the head of the Mallard's center-fielder Tom Lally, who had moved out to the outfield following an ejection of John Welborn when he collided at home with Rafters catcher Michael Jurgella in the third inning. Lally, playing it on a bounce of the wall, fumbled with it, allowing Kelly to come all the way home to give the Rafters the lead.

"I was thinking double off the bat, but Coach Martin kept waving me, so I kept running," said Kelly, who collected two hits in the ballgame and swiped his first bag of the year as well.

A third scoreless inning from Seth Fuller (FR, Western Illinois Univ.) gave the Rafters the win, their first on the road and fifth in six games against Madison dating back to 2011. Fuller (1-0) picked up the win, and Sullivan (1-0) took the loss in his first inning with the Mallards. In the no decision, Organ recorded six more outs on strikes. The southpaw now leads the NWL with 17.

The Rafters (3-3) play host at Witter Field to the Mallards (3-3) who are winless on the road this season. It will be Schoep's Ice Cream Bowl Night; fans can receive the giveaway at the front gate will supplies last. Gates open at 6:00 with a 7:05 first pitch.

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 2012. Reserve your 2012 ticket packages today by calling 715-424-5400, or in person by stopping by the Rafters office at historic Witter Field. 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. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.

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Northwoods League Stories from June 5, 2012


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