June 17, 2015 at 2:59 p.m.
Rebels blank Medford 2-0
Rebels blank Medford 2-0
Those traits were on display again Monday as Kurt Zuiker threw a two-hit shutout and the Rebels manufactured a couple of runs late to defeat Medford Post 147 2-0 at Stafford Field.
Alec Modrow drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth and Jacob DeMeyer scored on an error in the sixth as the Rebels upped their record to 2-1.
"It was a very well-played game by both teams," Rebels manager Dan Huhnstock said. "You can't say enough about the game that Kurt threw for us. We manufactured a few runs."
Bradley Comer had two hits for the Rebels as he raised his batting average to .714 (5 for 7) early in the summer. He led off the fifth with a single to left. After Cole Oettinger was hit by a pitch, Comer and Oettinger both moved into scoring position on a double steal. Two batters later, Modrow came through with a RBI single to right with the infield in.
"He's just coming through with very good efforts at the plate, very good at-bats," Huhnstock said of Comer. "Alec Modrow is stepping right in. I believe he had a nice hit for us up at Lakeland too - a clutch hit. Very good things from these younger guys."
The Rebels tacked on an insurance run in the sixth as DeMeyer reached on an infield hit, moved to second on a Zach Johnston single and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Catcher Conrad Bolz threw errantly to left trying to gun down DeMeyer at third and DeMeyer sprinted to the plate, narrowly beating a throw from left fielder Trenton Woebbeking.
Rhinelander managed eight hits off lefty Taylor Shaw, but the southpaw's pickoff move caught the Rebels flat-footed on a number of occasions. Rhinelander committed five outs on the basepaths Monday including an unconventional double play in the fifth where Oettinger and Modrow where thrown out from first and third.
"Their pitcher had an absolutely awesome pickoff move - the best one I've seen in quite a while," Huhnstock said. "We knew it coming in because he done the same thing during high school ball, but some of these younger guys that were not on varsity, it was definitely a learning experience for them."
While Rhinelander was finding trouble on the base paths, Medford had difficulty reaching them. Nick Drott's lead off walk in the first was erased on a double play ball by Woebbeking back to the pitcher's mound. Woebbeking broke up Zuiker's no-hit bid with a half-swing single to right in the fourth. Drott reached on an infield hit in the sixth and advanced to second on an overthrow, but that was all Zuiker (2-0) would allow. The Hodag lefty struck out five in an 80-pitch complete game effort. Monday's performance backed up a complete-game five-hit effort for Zuiker five days earlier at Minocqua.
"He's really taking ownership of getting his chance to pitch for us this summer, which is going to be real good for us both the rest of this summer and for seasons to come," Huhnstock said of the senior-to-be.
The Rebels were scheduled to play at Antigo Wednesday evening in a game that concluded after deadline.
Rebel Invite ahead
After a solid start to the season, the Rebels welcome four Northwoods rivals - including three with Great Northern Conference ties - to Rhinelander this weekend for the annual Rebel Invite.
Chequamegon, Minocqua, Mosinee and Tomahawk are the other teams in the field. The 10-game tournament kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Friday, with the final game scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday.
"We've got the same five teams back and I believe it should be a very, very competitive tournament - should be a lot of good baseball going on down here," Huhnstock said. "Hopefully we have good weather and good crowds."
The Rebels will play the nightcap both Friday and Saturday, hosting Mosinee and Lakeland in 8 p.m. starts. The Rebels will face Tomahawk at 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Chequamegon at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Huhnstock said all the baseball, in conjunction with the Boom Lake Log Jam will make it a great weekend at Hodag Park.
"(It's) a good family atmosphere down here, (and) a lot of stuff going on down at the park with the Log Jam going on the other end, make it a great weekend down here for the whole community."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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