Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Stroik Twirls Seven Strong as Rafters Down Express, 3-1

Published on July 14, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI- Sunday afternoon belonged to the Rafters right handed pitcher, Brad Stroik, as the UW-Stevens Point prospect tossed 7 1/3 innings and issued just 4 base hits, while needing 80 pitches to work through the Eau Claire Express Lineup as the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters down the Express 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Witter Field. The win gave the Rafters the rubber match of the three-game as the Rafters earned win number five against the Express the season. The win moved the Rafters back to an even 23-23.

Zack Belanger got the Rafters on the board early when the Long Beach State product launched his second home run of the season on the first pitch of the at bat. The home run was the first since a June 8 game against the Lakeshore Chinooks and gave the Rafters the early lead, 1-0.

The lead would grow in the fourth inning when the Rafters used a four-hit attack to scratch across two more runs. Erik Payne scored the second run of the day when the Virginia Tech Hokie launched his ninth home run of the season over the left field wall. The ninth home run by Payne ties him for the team lead with Jackson Slaid and Donnie Dewees who each have nine home runs, respectively. The solo home run by Payne would extend the Rafters lead to 2-0. The inning wasn't over after Zack Belanger, Cort Brinson and Charlie Curl all followed with consecutive base hits to score the third run of the game. The RBI single by Curl was the Texas A&M Aggies third of the season. The RBI was his first since July 9th against the Battle Creek Bombers.

Blake Schmidt kick-started the Express line up in the sixth inning when the Maryland Terrapin launched his first home run of the season over the left field wall. The home run appeared to hook into the left field corner but Josh Lobeck, the home plate umpire, ruled the ball fair to give the Express their first run of the game and to close the gap, 3-1.

JP Feyereisen came in and replaced Stroik in the eighth inning after Stroik issued back-to-back base hits to begin the eighth inning. Stroik would get a big out after Jose Vizcaino Jr. dropped a bunt down the bounced back right Stroik who fired to third to get lead runner. Feyereisen would replace Stroik as Chane Lynch pinch-hit for David Diaz-Fernandez in the eight. Feyereisen won the battle getting Lynch to bounce into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play ball.

Feyereisen would come in to earn his 10th save of the season as he became the first closer this year to reach the 10 save mark.

The Rafters will hit the road tomorrow as they face the Green Bay Bullfrogs for the first of a home-and-home series before before returning back to Witter Field for a short three-game home stand. The Rafters will play five of their next seven at home as the win today moved the Rafters 10-11 overall in front of their home town faithful.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Joannes Stadium and fans can listen to tomorrow nights broadcast by tuning into the leagues to the radio broadcast on WFHR AM 1320.

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 2013. 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.  The offseason office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Northwoods League Stories from July 14, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central