Bobo Breaks Rafters Single-Season Home Run Record in 11-6 Win
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – On a night where the theme was “Share Your Superpower” at Witter Field tonight, a man that has been borderline superhuman all season long accomplished yet another towering feat. Brendan Bobo hit his 14th homer of 2022, a new Rafters single season franchise record, in the team’s 11-6 over the Lakeshore Chinooks.
After Rafters starter Cooper Robinson retired the Chinooks 1-2-3 in the top half of the first, the Rats bats awoke early. In the second at-bat of the game, Chase Call hit a two-run homer, his third of the season, to put the Rats up 2-0. However, the Chinooks answered back with a two-run homer of their own in the top of the second to tie it at 2-2. Another run added on an RBI groundout put the Chinooks up 3-2 heading into the bottom of the second.
The Rafters countered in the bottom of the second. Aidan Brewer continued his recent hot streak with an RBI single that tied up the game at 3-3. Three batters later, Chase Call launched his second two-run homer of the game, his fourth of the season, to put the Rafters up 5-3. Robinson held Lakeshore off the board in the top of the third. Robinson threw three innings while allowing three runs on three hits, three walks, and two strikeouts.
Andrew Semo hit his second double of the night in his Witter Field debut, which brought across Nate Nankil in the bottom of the third to give the Rafters a 6-3 lead. Malakai Vetock entered the game in the top of the fourth to pitch for Wisconsin Rapids. He gave up a leadoff homer to begin the fourth, as the score moved to 6-4. However, the Rafters added on three more in the bottom half of the inning. A pair of RBI doubles from Chase Call and Brendan Bobo, as well as an RBI single from Nate Nankil gave the Rafters a 9-4 lead.
Vetock retired the Chinooks in order in the top of the fifth. The Rats bats were still done, as Aidan Brewer launched a solo homer in the home half of the inning, his third of the season, to give the Rats a commanding 10-4 lead. Vetock held Lakeshore scoreless in the top half of the sixth to end his night. He threw three innings while allowing one run on four hits, two walks, and four strikeouts.
Cody Urban began the top of the seventh on the mound for the Rafters, as he gave up a two-run homer to Matt DePrey which brought the Chinooks back within four, 10-6. However, Urban would keep the Chinooks off the board in the eighth to end his night. Urban threw two innings while allowing two runs on four hits, no walks, and no strikeouts.
Heading into the bottom of the eighth, Brendan Bobo was due up third. After two quick outs, Bobo stepped into the box to face Chinooks reliever Sinjon Bobolia. On a 2-1 fastball, Brendan Bobo used his Superman-like strength to send a baseball deep into the night sky for his 14th homer of the season, a new Wisconsin Rapids Rafters single-season record. On a night where heroes reigned supreme, Bobo rounded the bases with his hands held high above his head after the historic shot, as he put the Rafters ahead 11-6.
Preston Howey recorded the final three outs on the mound in the ninth. Malakai Vetock recorded his fifth victory of 2022, as his record is now 5-0. Call, Bobo, Nankil, Semo, and Brewer all had multi-hit nights tonight, as Call added five RBI to his standout performance as well.
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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’ 28th 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 280 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 (NYM), 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 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. 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.
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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]
