July 17, 2017 at 2:07 p.m.
Crusing past the Cubs
Rhinelander downs Tomahawk 7-2, ties for GNLC lead entering postseason
Crusing past the Cubs
The Rebels got a complete-game, nine-strikeout performance from Brad Comer and pounded out 14 hits in a 7-2 victory over the Tomahawk Cubs Friday night at Kahle Field.
Comer added a pair of hits and two RBIs for Rhinelander (15-3, 8-2 GNLC), which recorded its sixth straight victory and moved into a tie for first with Mosinee in the Great Northern Legion Conference.
"We're playing good ball," Rebels manager Dan Huhnstock said. "I'm very confident going into (the tournament). We'll just go out and give it our best effort."
Rhinelander scored a run in the top of the first inning and led the entire way, tacking on three insurance runs in the seventh after Tomahawk made a mini rally in the sixth.
Isaac Weber and Justin Jarvensivu had two hits each for the Cubs (7-15, 4-8 GNLC), including back-to-back knocks to lead off the sixth. Weber scored on a fielder's choice by Jakob Kahle and Jarvensivu crossed on a wild pitch to cut Rhinelander's lead to 4-2.
The Rebels answered by stringing together four straight hits to lead off the seventh, including an RBI single by Brad Quade. Kurt Zuiker then drew a walk to chase starter Eli Wurl from the mound. Tyler Blomdahl followed with a fly ball to center off reliever Jake Ruid that got lost in the lights and landed for an RBI single.
Eric Grulke then drew a bases-loaded walk to give Rhinelander a five-run cushion.
"They gave us a little counterpunch there and we responded," Huhnstock said. "That's what I hope to see out of us any time somebody puts a few on us, (that) we can respond, fight our way back and retake a comfortable lead."
Comer helped his own cause early in the game, scoring Easton Senoraske on a groundout in the first and doubling home Jacob DeMeyer in the third. Quade singled to score Comer to give the Rebels a 3-0 lead after three.
Grulke added a pinch hit RBI-single in the sixth. DeMeyer went 3 for 3 in the contest; Comer, Quade and Tait Spencer had two hits each and nine Rebel players collected at least one hit in the contest.
"Base hits up and down the lineup," Huhnstock said. "They made some good defensive plays on us tonight, otherwise we could have gotten some more runs. Hat's off to them, their pitcher pitched a nice game and, defensively, they were real solid, too."
Comer did the rest and, with the exception of Weber and Jarvensivu, shut down the Cubs lineup. Tomahawk's only other hit was an infield single by Sam VonSchrader in the fifth. Comer seemed to get stronger as the night went on, recording five of his nine strikeouts over the final three innings.
It was a bounceback effort of sorts for Comer, who was tagged for seven runs on eight hits in only three innings in a 9-8 loss to the Cubs June 9 in Rhinelander.
"Brad did a very nice job tonight, one of his better efforts of the summer, I think," Huhnstock said of Comer's 99-pitch effort.
As of now, the Rebels are in position to be co-champs of the GNLC as the regular season ends. A number of conference games were not played due to rainouts or other circumstances. The only games currently planned to be made up are a doubleheader between Rhinelander and Medford slated for July 26, provided neither team qualifies for the state tournament.
The Rebels will look to swap that twinbill for a spot in the AA state tournament in Merrill as regional play kicks off Wednesday at Stafford Field.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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