May 12, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.
Senoraske's single gives Hodags extra-inning win
Senoraske's single gives Hodags extra-inning win
Easton Senoraske hit a walk-off bases loaded single as the Hodags prevailed over Mosinee 3-2 in 11 innings.
After the Hodags tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning, both teams were held off the board until the 11th when Rhinelander loaded the bases with nobody out. After Matt Rudolph grounded into a fielder's choice that cut down the potential winning run, Senoraske singled up the middle to end a game that took a shade under three hours to complete.
"It was one of those grind-it-out victories, a lot of great plays made on both sides," Waksmonski said. "I thought, overall, it was a well-played high school game. I think there was only one error in the ball game. It was well-pitched and there was some timely defense and a little bit of timely hitting. Fortunately, we got just enough timely hitting tonight."
The walk-off single capped off a three-hit night at the plate for Senoraske, who also logged five scoreless innings in relief of starter Jacob DeMeyer to earn the win.
"It was a great performance by Easton tonight," Waksmonski said.
Senoraske scored the game's first run back in the third inning after drawing a lead off walk. He stole second, took third on a passed ball and came around on a sacrifice fly by DeMeyer.
Mosinee answered in the top of the fourth with three of the four hits it collected off DeMeyer in six innings of work. Zach Bednar doubled and Ben Vandehey singled to lead off the inning. Following a Brandon Bernarde strikeout, Matt Olson singled home Bednar and Vandehey came around on a grounder by Dom Collello.
Rhinelander answered in the fifth as DeMeyer walked, got to second on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out single by Tyler Blomdahl.
The Hodags loaded the bases later in the inning, but did no further damage as Alec Modrow flew out to center to end the inning.
Both teams had plenty of chances to seize momentum. Rhinelander stranded 12 batters in the contest and Mosinee left 10 on base.
The Indians loaded the bases with nobody out against DeMeyer in the fifth, but the Hodag junior fanned Vandehey and Rhinelander then turned a double play as Modrow threw out Jace Baumann at the plate trying to score following a fly out.
Mosinee loaded the bases again with one out in the eighth, but Senoraske got Collelo to pop out and then fanned Grant Lindell to work out of the jam.
Meanwhile, the Hodag offense was searching for traction against Bednar, who came on in relief in the fifth. He retired 16 of the 17 batters he faced between the fifth and 10th innings.
"We went through a pretty significant drought there but, fortunately again, Easton and the defense came through. In many situations Mosinee had chances where they could have tacked on a couple runs but, defensively we made some nice plays," Waksmonski said.
Cole Spaulding walked to lead off the 11th, and Modrow reached following an error on a bunt attempt that gave Rhinelander runners at the corners. Mosinee intentionally walked Tait Spencer, who was 1-for-3 in the contest, to get ro Rudolph.
The win kept Rhinelander (10-3, 7-1 GNC) a game and a half behind Antigo in the GNC, with the teams set to meet May 16 and again May 22. The Hodags are now three up in the loss column on Mosinee for second place in the conference.
"Not only to stay with Antigo but to put some distance between ourselves and the rest of the pack," Waksmonski said. "We've got to take care of business on our end though to get on top of Antigo. Obviously, that's a big hurdle."
Rhinelander travels to Wisconsin Rapids Saturday to play a non-conference doubleheader.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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