Hodag Highlights: Hodag baseball remains undefeated, ranked No. 2 in state

The Rhinelander High School baseball team kept its undefeated season intact with three wins last week, outscoring opponents 21-4 across a busy stretch that tested both the pitching staff and the roster’s depth.
The Hodags wasted no time making a statement in their non-conference matchup at Wausau East. Starting pitcher Jackson Waydick set the tone in the top of the first inning, launching a two-run home run to put Rhinelander on the board early. The offense didn’t stop there, adding three more runs in the first to take a commanding 5-0 lead before Wausau East even came to bat.
The Hodags cruised from there, finishing with a 9-2 victory.
Rhinelander carried the momentum into conference play a day later, traveling to Antigo to face the Red Robins. The Hodags again struck in the first inning, this time on a sacrifice fly by Rowan Wiczek that scored Abe Gretzinger to make it 1-0.
Antigo answered with a run to tie the game, but Rhinelander’s pitching kept the Red Robins in check while the offense added three late runs to seal a 4-1 victory. The defense was sharp throughout, committing zero errors.

Vince White was solid on the mound, working 6 2/3 innings before reaching his pitch limit. With the tying run stepping to the plate, Charlie Johnson came in from the bullpen needing one out to close the door. He delivered, striking out the batter on just eight pitches to preserve the win and keep the Hodags’ unblemished record intact.
Conner Rappley took the ball Friday at Northland Pines and put together a standout individual performance. The junior right-hander struck out 10 Pines batters over 5 1/3 innings, allowing only two hits, two walks, and one unearned run before reaching his pitch limit. Johnson was called on again in relief and shut Northland Pines down the rest of the way, completing an 8-1 Rhinelander win.
The offensive highlight came in a five-run fifth inning, fueled by a bases-clearing double from Waydick, who finished the game 3-for-5. Rappley also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two RBI.
The game was not without concern, however. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Wiczek and Josh Willoughby collided while both tracking a fly ball. Wiczek left the game and did not return. Willoughby remained in the game for one inning before also being removed from the contest as a precaution to be evaluated.
With three more wins in the books, Rhinelander remains undefeated on the season and holds the No. 2 ranking in Division 2 in the state.