July 21, 2017 at 2:48 p.m.
Rhinelander Prep wins Babe Ruth Tournament title
Rhinelander Prep wins Babe Ruth Tournament title
On Thursday, the two teams squared off once more in the NWBL Tournament final, marking their third meeting this season. And, just as in the previous two meetings, Rhinelander invoked the mercy rule.
The Hodags scored five runs in the top of the second inning to take control of the game, before blowing it open with a 10-run fifth to walk away with another championship, 16-1.
Rhinelander advanced a runner to third base in the top of the first inning, but couldn't find a way to score him. In the second, that mistake was corrected. The Hodags loaded the bases on walks, setting up Isaac Bixby for a 2-run single with two outs. Two more walks ensued, scoring another run, followed by back-to-back RBI singles from Joe Schneider and Mitch Wolosek gave their team a commanding 5-0 lead, despite ending the inning with the bases loaded.
Rhinelander spent a large majority of the game with the bases loaded, reaching that feat in four consecutive innings, but in the third and fourth, the Hodags managed just one run, scored by Schneider on a passed ball in the fourth to make it 6-0.
Eagle River finally found some offense in the bottom of the fourth, earning its first two hits of the game off Schneider, who entered in the third in relief and eventually scored one on a passed ball. Schneider would recompose himself and work his way out of the jam to end the inning allowing just one run.
As the Eagle River coaching staff began to preach to its team that they were on the verge of a comeback, Rhinelander quickly snuffed out any hopes of such an occurrence in the top of the fifth. Eagle River gave up six walks in the frame, while the Hodags tallied five hits.
Ian Miller registered two hits and two runs in the inning, including a double that plated two runs, while Wolosek connected on another RBI single as part of a 10-run inning that would end the game after three outs in the bottom of the fifth.
Bixby finished the game 1 for 2 with three RBIs and three runs, while Wolosek went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two RBIs, and Schneider was 3 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Cole Lehman also went 1 for 1, with an RBI and two runs.
Jacob Schoppe started the game on the mound, not allowing a run or a hit and two walks in two innings, while striking out three batters. Schneider pitched three innings in relief, giving up one run on two hits and a walk, while fanning five.
Nick Sabato may be reached at [email protected] or via Twitter @SabatoNick.
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