Ashwaubenon, Wis. – Strong pitching showed up yet again for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (4-13) as they held the Green Bay Rockers (11-7) down for an 8-5 victory Sunday afternoon. The Rafters trailed throughout the first half of the game, but got the offense rolling in the fifth to build an 8-2 lead, which was enough to finish the game in front. Rafters starter Tristin Crusenberry had yet another strong performance, going 4.2 innings while allowing just two hits and bringing his ERA to 2.31 in his last three games. Justin Battle also pitched well for Wisconsin Rapids, going 3.1 scoreless while Royce Clayton Jr. reached five times and Landon Gaz four.
The Rockers took the lead early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first on a two-run blast from Green Bay’s Joe Mennella off Rafters’ Crusenberry to give them a 2-0 advantage.
Rockers starter Mack Crowley (0-1) was dialed in for the first few innings, holding the Rafters to just one hit entering the fifth inning, but Wisconsin Rapids’ Crusenberry began matching his dominance after a rough first inning. Crusenberry walked seven batters through the game, but past the first inning, didn’t allow another run.
“I felt wonderful because we got the win today but there were some moments where I walked too many guys,” Crusenberry said. “There’s always room for me to grow and get better.”
It wasn’t until the fifth inning when the next run came across and it was thanks to an RBI single from Jake Beauchaine off Green Bay’s Crowley which made it 2-1. With runners on the corners and one out, the Rockers turned to reliever Koshiro Ohno, but the Rafters kept the offense rolling. Hayden Carlson picked up an RBI on a ground out and Lachlan Maude followed with an RBI single to give the Rafters a 3-2 lead. Madden Ocko then hit an RBI single of his own to make it 4-2 before Ohno finally worked out of the frame.
Wisconsin Rapids’ Crusenberry continued into the fifth, but after recording two outs, he walked runners to first and second and Justin Battle (1-0) took over to get out of the inning.
“I’m really happy with how I’m going right now. This spring season I was struggling really bad and going through the first half, same story. But the second half, I just knew that it’s just a game,” Crusenberry said. “Once you have fun with it, you do well.”
A new pitcher came in for Green Bay in the sixth with Sam Brummond taking over on the mound, but the Rafters offensive success continued with an RBI single from Landon Gaz and a bases-loaded walk from Harrison Garrett in his Rafters debut which made it 6-2.
Wisconsin Rapids’ Battle continued to shut down the Rockers, but Green Bay reliever Avery Duncan had a shutout seventh before the Rafters added another in the eighth. Wisconsin Rapids’ Hiroto Kobayashi led off the inning with a double and came around to extend the lead to 7-2 on a sacrifice fly from Ocko.
Rafters’ Battle finished with a perfect eighth inning and the momentum carried into the ninth where Jake Beauchaine had an RBI double off Green Bay’s Duncan to make it 8-2.
With a six-run lead, the Rafters looked for Tony Torres to close it out, and although he allowed a three-run homer to Green Bay’s Joe Mennella, the righty induced a flyout to finish the game 8-5.
While the team had been struggling as of late, a win feels extra special for the guys as they look to get back on track.
“Just be grateful of where you’re at and be where your feet are at. Make every moment count,” Crusenberry said.
The win was the Rafters first since before the All-Star Break and the first road win since July 2. The victory brought Wisconsin Rapids within two games of the Lakeshore Chinooks in the Great Lakes West and they’ll look to keep the momentum into next game. Green Bay and Wisconsin Rapids will rematch on Monday night at Witter Field where the Rafters will host the Rockers looking to bring the season series even closer. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. and the game will be broadcast for video on NWL+ and for radio on WFHR 97.5 FM/1320 AM.