Published On: June 20th, 2021

By: Larry Larson

The Rockford Rivets managed just one hit through eight innings on Saturday night, falling at the hands of Ryan Lobus (Fr, Mercer) and the Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2-1 at Athletic Park in Wausau.

The Rivets once again allowed an early run, as Jace Warkentien (R-Jr, Western Illinois) allowed a sacrifice fly to Griffin Lockwood (R-Jr, Central Michigan) in the bottom of the 1st. Warkentien would avoid further damage, though, stranding another runner on 3rd base with a strikeout.

Warkentien would settle in, keeping the Woodchucks off the scoreboard until the 5th inning, when Wisconsin loaded the bases with a single, a walk, and an error. After recording a strikeout, Warkentien allowed an RBI single to CJ Kayfus (Fr, Miami) which brought home fellow Hurricane Jose Izzara, but Greg Zigler (So, Missouri State) gunned Jacob Schoenvoegl (Fr, Baylor) who tried to score from 2nd base.

Warkentien would leave the bases loaded in the frame to keep the score at 2-0. The 5th was Warkentien’s final inning of work, as the lefty would finish with a line of 5 innings, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 5 walks and 4 strikeouts.

Bradley Deboutte (R-So, Wright State) came on in relief of Warkentien, tossing three scoreless frames to keep the deficit at two entering the 9th.

Rockford would turn the heat up in the 9th, picking up back-to-back one out singles from Josue Urdeneta (R-Fr, Indiana State) and Tyeler Hawkins (R-Fr, Louisville). Each runner would move up 90 feet after a passed ball, bringing the Rivets to within a hit of tying the game.

Wade Elliott (So, Louisiana Tech) then grounded out to second base to score Urdeneta to trim the score to 2-1 and move Hawkins to third. Cam McDonald (R-So, Illinois) came on as a pinch hitter, but flied out to center field in a full count to strand the tying run 90 feet away.

The loss is Rockford’s third straight, as they fall to 8-11.

Warkentien is handed the loss, dropping his record to 1-2. Lobus picks up the victory after tossing 7 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out 5.

The Rivets and Woodchucks will wrap up their two-game series with a Father’s Day matinee tomorrow at Athletic Park at 1:05. Rockford returns home Monday to start a 6-game homestand.

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The Rockford Rivets are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 250 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.rockfordrivets.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rivets as your favorite team.

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