July 19, 2021 at 11:01 a.m.
Rebels fend off Minocqua 3-2 in GNLC semifinals
Rebels fend off Minocqua 3-2 in GNLC semifinals
Ryan Jamison scattered two runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings and one offensive outburst in the third inning was enough for the Rebels to get past the 89ers 3-2 at Stafford Field.
The win advanced the Hodags to Monday night's championship game at home against Mosinee, which concluded after deadline. Mosinee upset top-seeded Medford 11-3 on Friday.
"That's what we were hoping for, that we'd be able to play it here on our home turf," Rebels manager Dan Huhnstock said.
Rhinelander was far from full strength on Friday, with Joe Schneider, Sam Schneider and Quinn Lamers among those out of the lineup due to various other commitments. That led to three starters playing in new positions, but the Rebels were solid defensively, with only one error.
"I've got confidence in all of our players," Huhnstock said. "Yeah, we had to play a couple of guys out of position and stuff, but they all did their job. With these guys, I've coached them for a long time, so I'm confident if I put them in a position that they don't normally play that they can make the plays."
Rhinelander hit Lakeland lefty Alex Fortier hard in the third inning, building a lead it would not relinquish. Tim Fox led off with a walk and was bunted over to second by Isaac Bixby before Kolby Ridderbusch, Jamison and Walker Hartman stung Fortier for three straight hard hits to left, making it 2-0. Ian Miller added a sacrifice fly to score Jamison and make it 3-0.
The Rebels had chances to extend that lead but were unable to, leaving the bases loaded without scoring any runs in both the fourth and sixth innings.
"We left plenty on base. We had chances, but we made the three stand up and that's what's important," Huhnstock said.
Alex Fortier drove in both runs for Minocqua. He singled home Max Toijala in the fifth inning and then hit a double to score Timmy Crisco with two out in the seventh to make it 3-2. That double knocked Jamison off the mound after reaching the pitch count limit. Devyn Orth came on in relief and got Will Fortier to ground out to second to end the game.
Jamison struck out six and walked only one as his second victory in as many starts for the Rebels.
"Ryan pitched a whale of a game, pitched himself out of a couple of jams where they left some runners on base," Huhnstock said. "You can't say enough about the fight that he had in him tonight."
Minocqua edged Rhinelander in the hit department, 8-7. Bixby and Hartman each had two hits for the Rebels.
The unique defensive alignment for the Rebels saw Ian Miller at shortstop for the first time this year, Bixby at first and Hartman behind the plate for the first time since the 2019 season. Hartman was Rhinelander's everyday catcher that season, but had been limited to first base and spot pitching appearances this spring and summer as he continues to work his way back from a knee injury suffered last November.
Rhinelander looked to cap off the regular season with a GNLC title on Monday before hosting Class AA Region 2 tournament this coming weekend. The Rebels host Antigo in an 8 p.m. Friday as part of the tournament's first day.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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