July 5, 2022 at 7:26 a.m.
Babe Ruth Roundup
Hodags fall to Crandon in Prep League battle
Babe Ruth Roundup
A two-out RBI single pushed across the go-ahead run for Crandon and then an errant pickoff attempt at third base with the bases loaded allowed another run to score.
Rhinelander had to play catch-up much of the night, but finally drew even with Crandon in a four-run fifth-inning. Jackson Weinzatl singled and scored on a Jackson Waydick triple to right. Waydick scored two batters later on a ground out by Abe Gretzinger. From there, two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases for Josh Willoughby, who came through with his third hit of the night, a game-tying two-run double to right.
The Hodags had a chance to take the lead in the top of sixth, but Gretzinger struck out looking with runners at second and third with two outs. Rhinelander stranded 11 runners on base in the contest, including nine in scoring position.
The Hodags got the lead in the first inning as Weinzatl led off with a single and came around on a one-out hit by Gretzinger. Crandon responded with hits from its first three batters in the bottom of the first and later added a sacrifice fly to take a 3-1 lead. Rhinelander got a run back in the top of the third on a Sawyer Bishop two-out base hit to score Conner Rappley. Crandon again answered with three in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-2 lead.
Rappley went 2 1/3 innings in a no decision for Rhinelander, allowing six runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Waydick pitched the rest of the way, taking the loss. He gave up two runs on four hits over 3 2/3 innings with three walks and six strikeouts.
Rhinelander outhit Crandon 10-9 in the contest. Weinzatl and Willoughby both had three-hit nights for the Hodags.
The loss dropped Rhinelander (8-2) a half-game behind Crandon (8-1) in the Prep League standings. The Hodags close at St. Germain Wednesday before trying to avenge their only other loss of the season Thursday at home against Lakeland.
The Cardinals, whose lone loss was a 10-5 defeat to Rhinelander back on June 16, have Lakeland at home tonight before closing with a doubleheader at third-place Eagle River on Wednesday.
Rhinelander Green holds on
Rhinelander Green, with an assist from fading daylight, did just enough to hold off a late rally from Lakeland Gray Wednesday night in Minocqua.
Up 7-1 with two out in the sixth, Rhinelander Green held off a furious charge to win 7-6 when the game was called after six innings due to darkness.
Sam Schoppe went 5 2/3 innings before hitting his pitch limit. He was replaced by Kyrle Vanney, who was tagged for three doubles, a walk and a single in five batters faced as Lakeland cut the lead to 7-5. Kaden Vanney came in after that, and after a throwing error allowed another run to score, he got a strikeout to end the inning and earn the save.
The Hodags got the lead thanks to some Lakeland miscues. Owen Ives reached on an error in the fourth, stole second, reached third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Schoppe to tie the game at one. Johnny Turek then reached on an error before coming around two batters later on a double by Richard Threlkeld.
The first six batters reached safely as Rhinelander scored five times in what proved to be a decisive fifth inning. Kaden Vanney walked, took second on an errant pickoff attempt, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error. After Connor Augustine walked, Alex Rappley reached on a dropped fly ball in right and Augustine scored when Ives reached on an error to short. After a wild pitch scored Rappley, Schoppe and Johnny Turek followed with back-to-back RBI singles to make it 7-1.
Lakeland Gray scored in the second as Schoppe walked the bases loaded and then had a wild pitch. Schoppe got the win, allowing just the one run on two hits with four walks and six strikeouts.
Rhinelander Green (5-3) is scheduled to take on Three Lakes tonight at Stafford Field and then will have a rematch with Rhinelander Black on Thursday.
Rhinelander Black blown out
Rhinelander Black suffered an 11-0 loss to Lakeland Black at home in Senior League play Thursday. Lakeland scored in every inning except the fourth as it won in five innings via the 10-run rule.
The Hodags' best chance to score came in the fourth as Barak Rappley and Caden Sieker recorded back-to-back base hits and Seth Nofftz reached on an error to load the bases with two outs, but Mason Schmidt struck out to end the threat - one of 11 strikeouts recorded by Lakeland pitching in five innings.
Ben Olson had Rhinelander's only other hit, a leadoff single in the third.
Rhinelander Black (3-5) has dropped five straight after a 3-0 start. Its next league game is the intra-city matchup with Rhinelander Green on Thursday.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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