By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
ASHWAUBENON – The only thing hotter than the weather July 5 was the Green Bay Booyah offense.
Fueled by 12 hits and 10 bases on balls, the Booyah used four-run fourth and fifth innings to post a 10-8 victory over Wisconsin Rapids in Northwoods League action at Capital Credit Union Park in Ashwaubenon.
The Rafters had the go-ahead run at the plate in the ninth, but Green Bay reliever Zac Czerniawski coaxed a fly ball to end the game.
“That was an entertaining game,” Tristan Toorie, Booyah field manager, said. “It got a little dicey at the end, but I’m glad we could hang on for the win in front of a nice crowd. We’ve been playing good baseball as of late and hitting the ball well.”
Toorie gave credit to his coaching staff for the improved hitting.
“Our coaching staff works tirelessly to make improvements,” he said. “The guys are buying in and taking better at-bats. We’ve been hitting with runners in scoring position. It’s been positive to see.”
Shortstop Dayson Croes, a native of Aruba, was 3-for-5 at the plate with a triple and three RBI.
“It was a great team win, and everyone contributed,” Croes said. “My teammates did a good job of getting on base for me, and I took advantage of it. I stuck to my approach.”
The Booyah (13-22) won for the third consecutive time to close out the first half of the season.
“It’s a grind playing every day,” Croes said. “It helps to get into a routine, but I’ve never experienced anything like this. Playing with the guys makes it more fun.”
Green Bay took a 1-0 lead in the second on a Nadir Lewis RBI double to score Preston Hall, who had reached on a two-out single.
After Rapids tied the game 1-1 in the top of the fourth, Bay Port graduate Jake Berg began the bottom half of the inning by being hit by a pitch.
After a flyout, a pitching change and consecutive walks to Hall and Lewis loaded the bases, Brendan Ryan reached on a fielder’s choice to plate Berg.
Dalton Pearson then smashed a double to left to score Hall before Croes drove in two with a triple to the left-center gap to make it 5-1.
The Booyah took a commanding 9-2 lead after the fifth when they scored four more.
After Kaden Hollow, Berg, and Tristan Garcia each walked to load the bases, Hall’s single to left scored Hollow.
Lewis’ sacrifice fly scored Berg before Garcia raced home when the Rafters tried a pickoff play at first.
Croes then knocked in Hall with his third hit of the game.
Rapids scored two in the seventh and three in the ninth to make things interesting, but Green Bay held on for the win.
Starting pitcher Tyler Chadwick went four innings but was hampered by seven walks.
He gave up two earned runs and struck out four.
Mason Patel, who earned the win, went three innings and allowed three hits, three earned runs and struck out two.