Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Slaid's Base Hit in Ninth Sinks Loggers, 2-1

Published on June 29, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI- For the second straight night fans at Witter Field were treated to a walk-off win as Jackson Slaid (Montevello) added the go-ahead RBI base knock in ninth inning to drive in George Ragsdale and secured the 2-1 victory for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (17-13) over the La Crosse Loggers Saturday night. The base hit was the third of the evening and came against the Loggers right-handed pitcher Michael Lowden (1-2) as the win over the gave the franchise its 17th win of the season, the most in a half for the franchise.

The game was a speedy two hours and thirty minutes after Rafters starter, Brad Stroik, pitching for the second time against La Crosse, twirled six shutout frames while scattering four hits and striking out four batters to earn the no-decision. The six scoreless innings continued a 12-inning shutout streak for Stroik against the Loggers, lowering his ERA to a sparkling 2.07 in 34.2 innings pitched this season.

The start for Stroik came on the heels of his worst outing of the season against the Madison Mallards on June 24. Stroik issued nine runs in just 1 1/3 innings pitched, while giving up a season-high five extra base nights. The script flipped on Saturday as Stroik needed just 91 pitches to baffle the Loggers, including keeping the reigning Northwoods League player of the night, Johnny Bekakis, hitless.

Wisconsin Rapids used a combination of strong pitching and timely hitting to earn their third win of the season against the defending Northwoods League champions.

Taylor Stell (Texas) led off the fourth inning with a double off the center field wall and fellow Longhorn, Jeremy Montalbano, secured his seventh RBI of the season by driving in Stell on a sacrifice fly to give the Rafters the early lead, 1-0.

Kevin Zak (Grand Valley State) provided the only offense for the Loggers as the Loggers' designated hitter blasted his third home run of the season on a 3-1 pitch against Nick Pettus. The home run was the first of the year allowed by the Texas Tech bound Pettus and ended a scoreless innings streak of eight complete innings without allowing a run. The solo home run evened the score, 1-1.

JP Feyereisen was summoned out of the bullpen and retired five-straight batters and earned his third win of the week by silencing the Loggers attack. Feyereisen has now tossed 22 innings without allowing an earned run.

Jackson Slaid provided the Rafters with their offensive pop, as the Montevello soon-to-be senior added three hits, including the game-winning RBI in the ninth. The RBI hit was part of a three-hit attack for Slaid who earned his 20th RBI of the year to lead the team.

The Rafters will return to action tomorrow when they continue an important three game series with La Crosse. The Rafters will begin the evening two games back with only four remaining in the first half of the Northwoods League season. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. and it is Bacon Appreciation night at Witter Field. Fans can tune in to tomorrow's broadcast by listening on WFHR AM 1320.

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Northwoods League Stories from June 29, 2013


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