July 6, 2021 at 8:02 a.m.
Rebels make short work of Minocqua
Rebels make short work of Minocqua
The Rebels put up a pair of five-run innings and got a one-hitter from ace Isaac Bixby in an 11-1 victory over the 89ers at Stafford Field.
Rhinelander blew the game open in a five-run second and ended the game via the mercy rule with five more runs in the fifth.
"We got out on them early and just never looked back," Rebels manager Dan Huhnstock said. "We played a good, solid game defensively and, as usual, excellent pitching from Isaac Bixby."
Already up 1-0, the Rebel bats got to lefty Zach Peterson in the second. Ryan Jamison started the rally with an infield hit to second. Sam Schneider then reached on an error and Tim Fox dropped down a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out for the top of the order.
Bixby started the run parade with an RBI single to left, Quinn Lamers then drove in two on a double to left center, followed by an RBI single to left by Joe Schneider and a sacrifice fly by Ian Miller to make it 6-0.
"We made solid contact on him and good base running, it just sort of added up real quick on him that inning," Huhnstock said.
Rhinelander eventually chased Peterson in the fifth inning. He walked a couple of batters, gave up a hit to Caleb Shefveland, and had a wild pitch that scored Walker Hartman. Peterson had only six pitches left until reaching his daily limit of 105 when the 89ers brought Keegan McJoynt in from shortstop to pitch. McJoynt proved wild, walking three of the four batters he faced. Tim Fox hit an RBI grounder off McJoynt, who also saw runs cross on a wild pitch and a passed ball before he was relieved by Keaton Brewer-Crownhart. Joe Schneider singled to right off Brewer-Crownhart to plate Bixby for the game-clinching run.
"Once they got into their pen, they had a little trouble with control and a couple more base knocks and we were able to put the game away," Huhnstock said.
Hartman added an RBI in the first, scoring Bixby on a two-out single to right.
It was all more than enough run support for Bixby, who faced one over the minimum in five innings of work, striking out six. His only blemish was a leadoff triple by Max Toijala in the fourth. Toijala would later score on a wild pitch.
"He had excellent control all night," Huhnstock said. "We've been very blessed to expect those kinds of outings from him. It's just been great having him on the mound for us this year."
The Rebels pounded out 10 hits in the contest, including two each by Bixby, Joe Schneider and Jamison. In all 10 of the 11 players who got an at-bat for Rhinelander on Wednesday contributed to the offense with a run, hit and/or an RBI.
The victory came on the heels of three consecutive rainouts for the Rebels, who lost an invite at Antigo June 26 and were scheduled to host Merrill last Monday before a downpour less than an hour before first pitch prompted the game to be canceled.
The Rebels (2-0, 2-0 GNLC) were slated to play two more Great Northern Legion Conference contests after the early holiday deadline for today's edition. The team traveled to Eagle River on Friday to take on Northwoods and was home last night to face Tomahawk. The team returns to action Friday in the Merrill Invite.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Rebels learned they will host the Wisconsin American Legion Class AA, Region 2 tournament. Rhinelander is part of a five-team regional that includes Antigo, Medford, Merrill and Minocqua. The tournament will begin July 23 in Rhinelander.
Antigo has already qualified for the state tournament as the host of the event July 30-Aug. 3. The team that places highest in the regional out of Medford, Merrill, Minocqua and Rhinelander will also advance to state.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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