Hodag Highlights: Rappley tosses no-hitter as undefeated Hodags sweep Tomahawk

It was cold at Stafford Field last week, but the Rhinelander High School baseball team gave the hometown faithful plenty to warm up to. The undefeated Hodags swept a home-and-away series against Tomahawk, grinding out a pair of wins that showcased both the pitching depth and the clutch hitting that have defined their season so far.
Thursday – Rhinelander vs. Tomahawk (Home, Stafford Field)
On a chilly spring afternoon at Stafford Field, Connor Rappley took the mound and put together one of the most memorable performances of the young season. The right-hander delivered a complete game no-hitter, per the official scorekeeper in the booth, to lead Rhinelander to a 2-0 victory.
The Hodags wasted no time getting on the board, doing their damage on just the first two pitches of the game. Abe Gretzinger laced a double and catcher Jackson Waydick followed with a single to drive him home and give Rhinelander an early 1-0 lead. After Rowan Wiczek grounded out, Rappley stepped into the batter’s box and delivered where it mattered most, stroking a double of his own to plate Waydick and push the lead to 2-0.
That would be all the offense either team would need. Rappley made the two runs stand up the rest of the way, mowing through the Hatchets and finishing what he started for the complete game gem. It was the second no-hitter of Rappley’s career as he blanked Medford last season.

Friday – Rhinelander at Tomahawk
A day later, the Hodags traveled to Tomahawk looking to complete the season sweep, and they did it the hard way — surviving a late Hatchet rally before pulling away in extra innings for a 6-4 victory. Charlie Johnson got the start and was sharp through five innings, allowing just one run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven. Vince White came on in relief and worked one and a third innings before handing the ball to Wiczek, who took over and kept the Hatchets at bay — until the bottom of the seventh.
Tomahawk refused to go quietly, plating three runs in the seventh to knot the game at 4-4 and set up a tense finish. Neither team could break through in the eighth, but Rhinelander answered the challenge in the top of the ninth, pushing across two runs to retake the lead. Wiczek then slammed the door, retiring Tomahawk in the bottom of the ninth to seal the win and keep the Hodags perfect on the season.
Wiczek was especially dominant in his two and two-thirds innings of work, punching out five batters to preserve the win and continue what has been an impressive run for Rhinelander’s pitching staff this spring.
With the sweep, the Hodags remain undefeated in both conference play and overall.