July 22, 2013 at 2:22 p.m.
Hodag 10U All-Stars heading to state for first time in program history
Hodag 10U All-Stars heading to state for first time in program history
Alex Fortier shut down Wausau American at the plate, and the Hodag bats came alive, as Rhinelander defeated the Americans 12-1 in five innings to clinch the District 5 championship at Doepke Field in Rib Mountain.
The Hodags finished 4-1 in the double-elimination tournament after Wausau American defeated them 11-9 Thursday to force Friday's winner-take-all game.
Wausau American plated an unearned run to take a 1-0 after one inning Friday. But the Hodags plated five runs in the second and never looked back.
Rhinelander tacked on five more runs in the fourth and two in the fifth to win the game via the 10-run rule.
The Hodags were led by ace lefty Alex Fortier who pitched 4 1/3 innings and struck out six. At the plate, Fortier went 3-for-4. Isaac Bixby and Quinn Lamers each collected two hits. Payton Johnson, Harlan Wojtusik, Jesse Mahner, and Jordan Kuczmarski each had one hit. Bixby, Johnson, and Lamers each drove in two runs.
A night earlier, Rhinelander played from behind most of the night, but fell short in a comeback bid.
Wausau scored six runs in the first inning. Rhinelander chipped away with three runs in each of the next two innings to tie the game.
Wausau scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the fourth and added four more on a Jack Napgezek grand slam to center in the fifth. Rhinelander scored three in the sixth but it was not enough.
Fortier, Hartman, Lamers, and Wojtusik each had two hits in the loss. Lamers and Wojtusik each drove in two runs. Kuczmarski and Conor Pequet each added a hit. Jacksen Smith took the loss on the mound.
The Hodags will be one of six teams participating in the state tournament Aug. 10-15 in Rice Lake.
Rhinelander Little League is seeking donor support to assist the program with participation in the state tournament. Interested businesses and individuals may contact Little League President Jeff Welk at (715) 360-0814.
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