May 31, 2023 at 1:04 p.m.
Raiders down Hodags 9-2 to end season
Raiders down Hodags 9-2 to end season
The Raiders finally broke through with two big innings that proved to be the difference in the game.
Medford scored three times in the third and then tacked on six in the fourth as it raced by Rhinelander 9-2 at Raider Field.
The Hodags were within a run, and already had a couple of other scoring opportunities, when the Raiders dropped the hammer. Five of Medford's six runs in the fourth came with two outs, capped off by a three-run Ty Metz homer.
Medford tagged Rhinelander starter Max Ratty for nine runs on nine hits over four innings.
"They finally got to Max. We had a couple of miscues in the outfield, gave them a couple of extra outs and they took advantage," Hodag coach Joe Waksmonski said.
As has been the case much of the season for the tough-luck Hodags, well-hit balls found their way to Medford fielders with runners in scoring position on Tuesday.
Barak Rappley lined out to left field to end the second as the Hodags couldn't capitalize on a two-on, no-out situation. Rhinelander couldn't do anything with back-to-back two-out walks in the top of the third as Owen Kurtz drove a ball right to Miles Searles in center.
"Those are just the little things, it's kind of been the story of the season," Waksmonski said. "It's one of those deals, you get those two hits to go, that's a 4-0 lead and that's a totally different ball game, totally different dynamic."
Instead, Medford took the lead in the bottom of the third with the heart of their lineup. GNC player-of-the-year candidate Logan Baumgartner doubled off the fence in left center to drive in Parker Lissner and put the Raiders on the board. Braxton Weissmiller followed with an RBI single and Metz singled home a run two batters later to make it 3-0.
The Hodags got a run back in the fourth. Cody Everson, who had two of Rhinelander's three hits on the day, sliced a double to right and later scored on a groundout by Rappley. The Hodags got the go-ahead run to the plate that inning, thanks to a couple of Metz walks, but AJ Turek rolled one back to the pitcher's mound to end the threat.
The top of Medford's order teed off on Ratty again in the fourth. Tanner Hraby singled home Jake Eckert and Baumgartner singled to right to give the Raiders runners at first and third with two out. Weissmiller followed with a single to right that got by Dylan Vanderbunt, allowing Baumgartner to score all the way from first. That ended up being academic, however. After Dietzman walked, Metz jumped on an 0-1 curve from Ratty and blasted it over the left center fence.
James Heck pitched two innings of scoreless relief for the Hodags and Rhinelander got one more run in the seventh as senior Tyler Morrison drew a walk in a pinch-hit role and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
"That's exciting for him to go out as a senior as well," Waksmonski said of Morrison, who got into only a handful of games down the stretch. "I know he probably wanted a better year, but he had some tough, hard luck where he lined out quite a bit. But he got the walk, got on base and scored on a wild pitch. It's a good way to go out.
"We could have very easily folded the tent at 9-1 after four innings and it could have easily been 10, but they competed. James Heck came in and threw really well in relief. I think he had only one or two base runners in this two innings of work, to the good part of their lineup. I was pleased with his effort."
Morrison, along with Turek, Everson and Sam Schneider, played their final games in an RHS uniform on Tuesday.
"They're good, quality people and they were a good group to coach," Waksmonski said. "We never really had any issues with those four. They were just drama-free, a very easy group and they worked hard, especially someone like Sam Schneider. Their freshman year was the COVID year, Watching him running around the park with his older brother and his older brother's teammates playing baseball, you kind of knew he had a chance to be a special. Just the way he exuded the leadership qualities you look for as the coach, he's definitely one of the better leaders you've ever had."
The Hodags went 8-14 and tied for fifth in the GNC with a relatively young pitching staff. Waksmonski said he was pleased with how his team progressed down the stretch especially on the mound. That was evidenced by the fact the team won five of its last nine games, and two of the losses in that span were one-run games.
"For where Max and James and Dylan were in that first pitching effort at Wisconsin Rapids to where they were at, at the end of the season against Antigo, against Medford and Dylan in his final appearance as well, to be able to throw with confidence," he said. "All of them stepped up with their off-speed game. They weren't asked to throw a lot of off-speed in Babe Ruth. All of them grew in that regard and, at the end of the year their curve balls, especially James', became a real weapon.
"Now the next step will be throwing this summer, obviously, but throwing in the offseason, going through the throwing program and come back next spring throwing the ball harder."
Many of the players on this year's team will turn their attention to the American Legion play. The season for the Rhinelander Post 7 Rebels will begin with an invite June 10 in Antigo.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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