Jay Feliciano with Perfect Night in Timber Rattlers 10-4 Victory
After opening the season with three games against the Beloit Snappers, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers traveled to Iowa to take on the Clinton LumberJacks. It may have been Clinton that had the mighty offensive name, but it was Wisconsin that came with the big bats, scoring 10 runs, led by Jay Feliciano who was a perfect 4-4 with four runs scored and 2 RBI to pace the Timber Rattlers offensive onslaught. Dylan file tossed five innings, allowing one run for his first victory of the season.
It would be Clinton that would get on the lead first, scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. With one down, Louis Boyd lined a single into left field and he scored when Ariel Sandoval grounded a ball down the line in left field that allowed Boyd to come all the way around to score.
Wisconsin responded with four runs in the top of the second inning. After KJ Harrison walked to lead off the inning, Gabriel Garcia lined a single into right field that moved Harrison to third. Gilbert Lara followed with a walk that brought Jay Feliciano to the plate. He lined a double into left field that brought home two runs and gave the Timber Rattlers the one run lead. Payton Henry followed with a single that scored Lara, and a sacrifice fly by Demi Orimoloye brought home Feliciano to make it 4-1.
In the fourth, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers would add three more runs. Feliciano led off the inning with a base hit, and Henry followed with a shot over the right field wall for his first home run of the season. Nick Roscetti followed with a walk, then stole second base. A base hit moved him into third before Pat McInerney drove the runner home with a sacrifice fly. That made it 7-1.
In the top of the fifth, the lead became eight. Lara walked with one out and moved to third when Feliciano delivered his third hit and second double of the game. A balk brought home Lara. Roscetti later delivered a double which scored Feliciano to make it 9-1.
After allowing the run in the first inning, Dylan File (1-0) pitched exceptionally well for Wisconsin. He would go five innings, allowing 5-hits, a walk, and a lone run. The starter struck out five.
In the seventh, the Timber Rattlers would add their final run of the game. After Feliciano was hit by a pitch, Henry lined a ball into center that he legged out for a double. With runners at second and third, Roscetti grounded to first, scoring Feliciano to make it 10-1.
The LumberJacks were not giving up though. In the seventh they battled back with three runs of their own. Billy Cooke drew a one-out walk and later scored on a base hit by Boyd. One batter later, Sandoval drilled his third home run of the season to make it 10-4. That would be as close as Clinton would get.
Jay Feliciano finished the evening 4-4, with 4-runs, 2-doubles, and 2-RBI. Payton Henry also had a big evening for Wisconsin, going 3-5 with a run, 2 doubles, and 3 RBI. Nick Roscetti was 2-4 with a run, a double, and 2-RBI. Louis Boyd had 3-hits and 2-RBI for Clinton while Ariel Sandoval had 2-hits and 3-RBI.
These two teams will continue their four game set tomorrow. Christian Taugner will go for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (2-2). He will be opposed by Ryne Inman. Game time is 12 Noon.
By Robert Pannier