Rats Drop Heartbreaker in Season Finale
August 10, 2014 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release
Green Bay, Wis.-One of the more exciting and tense games of the season ended in a thud as the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (27-45, 15-22) lost by walking in the winning run in a 1-0 game versus the Green Bay Bullfrogs (36-36, 19-18).
Pitching was the name of the game as Rafters' starter Jason Freeman (Texas A&M) went toe to toe with a stable of Bullfrogs' relievers to keep the game knotted at zeroes through eight and a half innings. Freeman was excellent in his final appearance of the season as he went eight innings while allowing only two hits while walking three and striking out five. The right- hander rolled through the Bullfrogs lineup as he did not allow a base runner to advance past second base.
Wisconsin Rapids would have their chances throughout the game as they left seven runners on base. The key moment in the game came in the top of the 8th when one of the top RBI players in the league Keelin Rasch (Louisiana Monroe) stepped to the plate with runners on first and third and two outs. The Bullfrogs went to one of their top relievers in Sam Brunner (Dodge City CC) who induced a groundout to end the threat.
Green Bay took advantage of their opportunities as they opened up the bottom of the 9th with back-to- back singles. Rafters' reliever Chip Rosales (Valley City State) would retire the next two batters but would walk the bases loaded. Rosales would walk Matthew De La Rosa (Lenoir-Rhyne) to force in the final run of the 2014 season for both teams.
The Rafters wrap up their season having played some of their best baseball at the end of the schedule. It was a record breaking year and the team now turns their attention to 2015.
Northwoods League Stories from August 10, 2014
- Rats Drop Heartbreaker in Season Finale - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Kingfish End Inaugural Season with Victory - Kenosha Kingfish
- Mallards Take Down Growlers to Conclude 2014 Season - Madison Mallards
- Bullfrogs Walk-Off as Winners in Season Finale - Green Bay Rockers
- Growlers End Season 3rd in Attendance, Players Receive All-Star Honors - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Playoff Bound: DeJong's record-tying homer helps Woodchucks clinch in win at Thunder Bay, 9-7 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rox Fall in Extras to Huskies in Season Finale - St. Cloud Rox
- Anchors Take Season Finale - Alexandria Blue Anchors
- Honkers Drop Their Final Game of the Season, 9-5, to the Blue Anchors - Rochester Honkers
- Salters and Hermann Named Postseason All-Stars - Eau Claire Express
- Group of Growlers Earns Postseason Honors - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Garcia, Godinez and Porter, Postseason All-Star Team - Kenosha Kingfish
- Three Bucks Named to NWL Postseason All-Star Team - Waterloo Bucks
- Mallards Look to End Season Strong - Madison Mallards
- Alonso Named Northwoods League MVP - Madison Mallards
- Bullfrogs Return Home for Final Game of the Season - Green Bay Rockers
- Northwoods League Announces Postseason All-Star Team - Northwoods
- Rox Come up Short in 5-4 Loss to Huskies - St. Cloud Rox
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