Ashwaubenon, Wis. – The Green Bay Rockers (15-12) looked well on their way to a loss against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (16-14) Friday at Capital Credit Union Park, but instead won 8-6 thanks to a furious comeback.
Wisconsin Rapids wasted no time getting ahead. Aidan Teel (Virginia) crushed a three-run homer in the second inning to assume a 6-0 lead. From there, however, Green Bay would control the game.
The Rockers’ rally began with Colton Sylvester (Belhaven) on the mound. In relief, the righty picked up the final two outs of that second inning to stop the bleeding. Sylvester proceeded to toss the following four innings, striking out two batters and not allowing a single hit.
Despite Sylvester’s solid outing, the Rockers were held without a baserunner through six innings by Rafters starter Noah Marschke (Madison College) — until Green Bay flipped a switch.
The Rockers exploded in the bottom of the sixth, and it started from the very first at-bat of the frame: Blade Carver (Northern Oklahoma College) launched a solo-shot to put Green Bay on the board. Just two batters later, Makani Tanaka (Oral Roberts) hit a two-run bomb for his second long-shot in the past two days. Following those two blasts, the Rockers were only down 6-3.
Even when Wisconsin Rapids changed pitchers, Green Bay’s onslaught didn’t stop, as Jake Bold (Princeton) brought in two runners with a single. Then the order came back around to Blade Carver, who put the Rockers in front with a two-run double.
Green Bay scored eight runs in the inning, which set the table for Greg Ferguson (Southwestern) to close out the game. The junior only gave up one hit over the final three innings of action, fanning two batters and walking none.
The Rockers and Rafters square off once again Sunday at Capital Credit Union Park. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. and gates will open at noon. From the time gates open through the end of the third inning, Toco Beach Steelpan will be playing live music.
Sunday’s game is also Hawaiian Day at the park, so fans can get a Rockers Hawaiian shirt presented by Pep’s Drafthaus. There will be post-game catch on the field as well.
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