Wisconsin natives on Rafters' roster among league's best
WISCONSIN RAPIDS - The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have been the Northwoods League's best team so far this summer.
Wisconsin Rapids currently owns a 23-7 record and a four-game lead in the South Division. Starting pitcher Jack Eagan has helped lead the way on the mound, while outfielder Jake Guenther has tormented opposing pitchers at the plate.
But what makes the early season success even more special for Eagan and Guenther is that the duo are Wisconsin natives. Eagan is a Wautoma native while Guenther is from Oshkosh.
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"Particularly for me going out to school in California, it was huge (to play for the Rafters) to actually be able to have my family be able to support me," Guenther said. "They have been supporting me my whole life so giving them the chance to come watch me is an awesome blessing really."
"It's indescribable playing here in Wisconsin Rapids in front of a great crowd every night," Eagan said. "It's kind of cool to see some Wisconsin kids get a lot of success because Wisconsin in the baseball world is overshadowed."
To say Eagan has dominated on the mound may be an understatement. The lefty has allowed just four runs in 29 innings of work, good enough for a 1.24 earned run average that ranks sixth-best in the entire NWL.
Across his five starts, Eagan has allowed just 16 hits while striking out 36 batters, notching five wins to lead the league in that category. He has not allowed more than four hits in any of his starts and has struck out at least six batters in each game.
"A lot of the credit (for the success so far) goes to the teammates and the coaching staff I am surrounded by," Eagan said. "We are a good ball club and have a lot of fun, and I think fun is the key to the team's success."
The success on the mound for Eagan started this spring in his freshman season for the Madison College WolfPack. In 66 ⅔ innings, Eagan allowed just 16 earned runs for a 2.16 ERA. He tallied seven wins and struck out a team-high 93 batters.
"I think confidence has a lot to do with it (the success so far in the NWL season)," Eagan said. "I just try to stay consistent throughout the year and keep putting together good starts."
Guenther has been one of the keys to the Rafters' offensive success this summer. The left-handed hitter owns a .364 batting average while playing and reaching base safely in each of the Rafters' 30 games.
Guenther has also been patient at the plate, drawing 19 walks to help form his .504 on-base percentage. The outfielder has driven in 21 runs, clubbed three home runs and stolen five bases. His batting average ranks third in the league, while his on-base mark is tied for a league-high.
"Really, my goal out here is to just be a sponge," Guenther said. "I've just been picking up and being able to utilize every little thing I've learned from this great coaching staff and great team has been able to help me with."
Guenther received a temporary contract with the Rafters after playing his freshman season of college ball with the Sacramento City College Panthers. He had a .292 batting average, scored 36 runs and drove in 26 more in 46 games played.
While the Wisconsin natives have played well to start the NWL season, the duo is also determined to sustain their play for the entire season.
"We are a really relaxed ball club," Eagan said. "Not getting too high or getting too low but staying somewhere in the middle will help us in the long run."
"For this team, it's all about staying relaxed and making sure we are having fun," Guenther said. "Every single guy on this ball club can go out there and compete with the best of them, so if we just stick to us and not try to do too much, we will be just fine."
Morgan Rode can be reached at 715-345-2258, or by email at mrode@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as @MRode23.
Northwoods League Standings - South Division
(through June 29)
1. Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 23-7
2. Kenosha Kingfish 19-11
3.Battle Creek Bombers 18-12
4. Madison Mallards 17-13
5.Rockford Rivets 16-13
6. Lakeshore Chinooks 15-15
7.Green Bay Bullfrogs 11-19
8. Wisconsin Woodchucks 11-19
9.Fond du Lac Dock Spiders 11-19
10. Kalamazoo Growlers 8-21