For the City Times

Slinger shuts down Bullfrogs offense to help Rafters move to 14-1

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Twelve was the number of the night for the red-hot Wisconsin Rapids Rafters on Wednesday at Witter Field against Green Bay in a 12-0 win.

Twelve runs on 12 hits fueled the Rafters to their 12^th straight win. Jake Guenther led the Rafters with a 2-2 performance from the plate, with four RBIs and two walks. Dustin Woodcock blasted his third home-run of the season to help boost the offense. With the victory, the Rafters remain atop the standings in the South Division of the Northwoods League and remain unbeaten at Witter Field on the season.

The Rafters took the early lead in the second when Green Bay pitcher Noah Miller attempted a pick-off in a first and third situation, but bounced the ball into foul territory. Ryan Stekl came across to score from third to put the home team up 1-0.

In the third, the Rafters pieced together a big inning, scoring three runs on three hits to extend the lead to 4-0. Josh Rehwaldt drove in the first run of the inning on an infield single, bringing Nick Anderson in to score. With the bases loaded and two outs, Guenther hammered a pitch to right field to plate two runners.

Wisconsin Rapids tacked on five more runs in the fifth to continue a strong offensive performance. Stekl and Guenther matched one another, each driving in two runs on singles. Christian Jones laced a double down the left field line, scoring Woodcock.

Woodcock continued his dominance of Northwoods League pitching with a two-run homer in the fifth. One of the league’s top hitters is hitting a league-best .465 with 15 RBIs and three home runs. Woodcock’s blast pushed the lead to 11-0, the fifth outing this season Wisconsin Rapids has scored in double digits.

The Rafters added one more run in the sixth to take a 12-0 lead on Charlie McConnell’s first hit and first RBI as a Rafter. Jesse Slinger (3-0) was dominant on the mound and used the offensive support to throw seven scoreless innings and earn the win. TJ Fetters finished the Bullfrogs with two scoreless of his own, allowing zero hits and adding a strikeout. Bullfrog’s starter Noah Miller (1-1) was tagged with the loss.

Wisconsin Rapids heads to Kalamazoo tomorrow to start a two-game series against the Growlers at Homer Stryker Field. The Rafters return to Witter Field on Saturday to take on the Wisconsin Woodchucks with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch. It will be Turn Back the Clock Night at Witter, with a Rapids Twins Moe Hill Midwest League Triple Crown Bobblehead Giveaway and guest appearance by Elmore “Moe” Hill, presented by Bull’s Eye Credit Union. In addition, the Flying Houndz Frizbee Trick Dogs will perform on the field throughout the game.