Rafters Outlast Bucks In Tight Pitching Battle
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – Thursday night was a pitching duel through and through.
The pitching staff of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters combined to hold the Waterloo Bucks to just three hits and one run. While the Rafters offense totaled just two runs on five hits, it was just enough to outlast their opponents and secure a cross-conference series sweep.
After five straight scoreless innings for both teams, the Bucks struck first in the top of the sixth on a Brennan Hudson RBI single to score Luke Finn from second base.
Waterloo starter Jacob Phillips shut down Rafters bats for five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. After walking Max McGwire, he was hooked for reliever Isaiah Byrkeland.
Mcgwire took second base on an errant pickoff attempt, then Jack Mathey stepped in and deposited a fastball over the right field fence to give the Rafters their first lead of the game.
“It’s just making adjustments pitch to pitch,” Mathey said after the game. “I was sitting back gearing up for a heater, got one high and out and put my best swing on it.”
Rafters’ starter and Siena product Arnad Mulamekic dazzled in his team debut, tossing four scoreless innings with just one hit allowed and four strikeouts. It was the second game in a row where Rafter’s starting pitching dominated the Bucks.
Noah Rodriguez took the baton in the fifth and matched his Siena college teammate with four innings of his own handling high leverage work in the seventh and eighth. In the seventh, new Rafter Jake Beauchaine made a spectacular diving catch and aptly doubled off a runner at second to keep the lead intact.
Rafters closer Max Whitesell entered in the ninth and sealed the deal, striking out one and inducing a game-ending groundout for his league-leading third save of the season. Whitesell has been a revelation this year as a much-needed stopper out of the bullpen.
The sweep improves the Rafters’ record to 3-1 on the young season, and to 2-1 at home. Wisconsin Rapids welcomes the undefeated Wausau Woodchucks to Witter Field for a 6:35 first pitch on Friday night. Khalin Kapoor will have the call on the Northwoods League Plus app, Andy Jachim will be on WFHR – 97.5 FM, 1320 AM.
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 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’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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 245 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 (CHC) 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 All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). 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.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team
****************************************************************
2023-24 Area Conference Schedules: Conference and Team Links
Know some top athletic performances? Seeing some great teams in action?
We can use your help, and it’s simple. Witness some great performances? Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area?
Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
Nominate an athlete or team: HERE
**********************************************
Pancakes or Waffles! We feature top area athletes with our world-renowned feature. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
College Athlete Roundup! We want to recognize student-athletes from the area who are competing at the college level. Send us information on college athletes from the area with our simple form HERE
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach, or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
