July 1, 2016 at 1:39 p.m.
Rebels sloppy in lopsided loss
Post 7 commits six errors, falls to Minocqua 11-1
Rebels sloppy in lopsided loss
An early lead vanished as the mistake-plagued Rebels committed six errors and were routed 11-1 by Minocqua in a Great Northern Legion Conference game at Lakeland Union High School.
The 89ers scored six times to blow the game open in the second inning, scored once more in the fourth and four times in the fifth. A two-run home run by Nick Peterson with two outs in the fifth ended the game via the mercy rule.
"Way too many mistakes and that's the way this team is," Rebels manager Dan Huhnstock said following the team's third straight loss. "We're either really good or we can be really bad and tonight was one of the nights we just did not play very well."
Everything changed in the second with the Rebels leading 1-0. Nick Spencer tried to score from second on a two-out single by Easton Senoraske but was gunned down at the plate following a strong throw by T.J. Ullius in right.
Spencer, the Rebels' starting pitcher, then got into a jam in the bottom of the second. Two walks bookended an infield hit by Austin Wanty to load the bases with nobody out. Gunnar Weitz sacrificed Jamie Slavinsky home with a fly to right. Sam Killian followed with an RBI single, which became a two-run play when Brad Quade misplayed a one-hopper in right field.
Jack Melms walked and, two batters later, McEnroe doubled to drive in a run. Peterson followed with a two-run single, part of a four-RBI night for the 89er first baseman.
"The momentum changed and we just never fought back from it," Huhnstock said.
Rhinelander struggled after that, putting only two runners in scoring position the rest of the way and committing four errors over the final two innings.
"We've just got to play better as a team, pick each other up," Huhnstock said. "When we get down a little bit or somebody's having a rough night or a rough at-bat, we've got to pick each other up, play as a team and battle."
Cole Spaulding dropped a potential inning-ending double play ball at second in the fourth and a fielding error by Tait Spencer at first loaded the bases for Minocqua.
Rebels reliever Brandon Hess nearly got of the jam, fanning Jamie Slavinsky, but Easton Senoraske booted an Austin Wanty ground ball to short, allowing Brett Slavinsky to cross.
Another Senoraske error allowed Weitz to reach to lead off the fifth. Killian was hit by a pitch and Brett Slavinsky singled to load the bases. McEnroe hit a sacrifice fly to score Weitz, Killian crossed on a wild pitch and Peterson ended the proceedings on a blast to deep left center.
Rhinelander's lone run came in the first. Kurt Zuiker singled and advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt by McEnroe. Brad Comer was hit by a pitch and Zuiker scored from second in a bit of aggressive base running after Tyler Blomdahl hit into a fielder's choice.
"We have the ball players and we have opportunities to do some running, but we've got to be in a position to do it," Huhnstock said of the Rebels' aggressive approach on the bases over the first two innings.
McEnroe scattered six hits and struck out two over five innings for Minocqua. The Rebels had at least one base runner on against McEnroe in every inning but, as was the case in a 5-0 loss to Mosinee Monday night, struggled to bring runners home.
"We've scored on him and hit him well in the past," Huhnstock said. "He's nothing that we can't have good, quality at-bats against and put the ball in play. We just didn't do it tonight."
Nick Spencer worked two innings in the loss for Rhinelander, allowing six runs on five hits. Hess pitched the final 2 2/3 innings allowing five runs, all unearned.
Rhinelander (6-4, 3-3 GNLC) traveled to Tomahawk Friday in a game that concluded after deadline. The team is off over the July 4 holiday and returns to action July 6 at Medford. That game will kick of a stretch of seven games in five days for the Rebels.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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