Green Bay, WI – July 18, 2012 – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (5-9, 21-27 overall) lost their third straight game Wednesday, falling in Green Bay to the Bullfrogs (5-8, 27-21 overall) at Joannes Stadium. A swift pitchers’ dual, the Bullfrogs eliminated the Rafters on the bases to come out victors 5-2.

Wisconsin Rapids scored the first run of the game, getting an RBI knock from Brandon Downes (FR, Univ. of Virginia) in the second off of Green Bay starter Harry Stanwyck. It was the only time the Rafters had multiple baserunners in an inning and the only time they scored.

Wisconsin Rapids tallied a hit off Stanwyck in six of his eight innings. Each Rafters hit was a single, however, and the team struggled to manufacture runs Wednesday night. Rafters basestealers were gunned out four of the five times they attempted steals and had a runner picked off as well. Three times, an attempted stolen base ended an inning for Wisconsin Rapids.

Augey Bill (SO, Univ. of Arizona) nearly matched Stanwyck. Bill, through seven, actually had allowed fewer hits. The trouble for Bill was that they were bunched together. After seven innings, Bill had allowed two runs on only five hits and a pair of walks, but the Bullfrogs collected three hits scoring a run in the third, and they picked up two in their one-run fifth. In the bottom of the eighth, Bill got one out. His night ended on a two-run single from Jason McMurray. Skyler Debilzen (JR, UW-La Crosse) allowed a single for the fifth run to come across to make it 5-2.

In total, Bill allowed five runs, although only three were earned, on seven hits and two walks, one intentional. His 7.1 innings marks the longest start by a Rafters pitcher this season. Bill has pitched at least six innings each time out, and Wednesday was the first time he allowed more than two runs.

Will Landselft pitched a perfect ninth to finish off the Rafters. Bill (2-1) suffered the loss, while Stanwyck (3-1) earned the victory.

The Rafters return home to take on Green Bay one final time in 2012, Thursday night at Witter Field. Reliever Ronnie Muck (SO, Univ. of Illinois) makes his first start for the Rafters taking on Parker Schrage, a former reliever making only his second start. Wednesday night is Superhero Night at Witter Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.

COURTESY WISCONSIN RAPIDS RAFTERS