Rafters Get Hits, but Not in Timely Fashion
La Crosse-Wis.-Missed opportunities was the story of the afternoon as Wisconsin Rapids (2-11) dropped their ninth in a row at the hands of the La Crosse Loggers (8-5). The league’s worst offense managed to put hits on the board but couldn’t string enough together in a 5-3 loss.
Contributing to the loss was the fact that the Rafters recorded three outs on the basepaths. Wisconsin Rapids had a runner thrown out at home immediately in the top of the first inning. Zack Domingues (Long Beach State) tagged up on a Keelin Rasch (Louisiana Monroe) fly ball but was thrown out at the plate by a great throw from right fielder Aaron Knapp (California). Another runner was picked off and Michael Hurwitz (Illinois) was thrown out at third trying to stretch a double into a triple.
La Crosse’s Ryne Birk (Texas A&m) was the standout performer as he went 3-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored. He also played sterling defense and was a vital part in the play to cut down Hurwitz at third as Birk was the middle cog in the relay from right field to third base.
The key moment in the game was when Ryan Kirby (San Diego) hit a three run home run off of Isaac Behme (Webster) in the bottom of the 6th. It was a 2-1 game at the time, and Behme had a lefty on lefty situation with the ninth place hitter in the lineup. The pitch was left over the plate and Kirby made Behme pay with what would turn out to be the deciding blast in the game.
Wisconsin Rapids actually outhit La Crosse 10-7 but it would not be enough. The two teams will rap up their two game set tomorrow evening at 7:05 pm from Copeland Park.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.
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