Labor Day Challenge: GRB Rays Recap

September 5, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinois/Wisconsin

The GRB Rays came out hot on their first day of action in the Prep Baseball Report Labor Day Challenge, winning both games on Sunday. Unfortunately they could not match their efforts on Monday losing both contests, and finishing the weekend with a 2-2 record. The Rays took third in the tournament just behind the St. Louis Gamers and Top Tier.

GRB Rays 6, Ohio Elite 5

The Rays came out strong in the first with back to back base hits out of Alex Henwood (Appleton North, 2015) and Cade Bunnell (Stoughton, 2015). Both came around to score and Michael Brekke (Sun Prairie, 2015) then drove in Pete Schuler to put the Rays up 3-0. In the second the Rays added to their lead with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Bunnell scoring Jack Collins (Kewaunee, 2015) who earlier singled. Ohio Elite took the lead 5-4 in the fourth but the Rays answered scoring two runs with two outs. The combination of Henwood and Bunnell would again come around to score after Bunnell ripped an RBI triple followed by Pete Schuler’s (Kenosha St. Joseph) RBI single. Travis Berg (Eau Claire Memorial, 2016) would finish the job of starter Jack Collins on the mound recording the final eight outs in order.

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Game Stats:

+ Cade Bunnell went a perfect 2-for-2 including a triple, with two runs scored and two RBI.

+ Alex Henwood was also perfect at the plate going 1-for-1 with two runs scored.

GRB Rays 7, Giants Scout Team 3

Rays bats again were sharp unloading on the Giants in the third inning. Trailing 2-1 the Rays would send 11 batters to the plate scoring six runs. Back to back singles by Joey Baier (Bay Port, 2015) and Alex Henwood got things started. Pete Schuler then added a two run triple followed by an RBI double by Shane Coker (Athens, 2015). Rays bats went quiet from there on out but it wasn’t needed as Jack Bredeson (Arrowhead, 2015) retired nine straight at one point, using primarily his fastball, to record the win.

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Game Stats:

+ Jack Bredeson worked 5 2/3 innings allowing just four hits and striking out four. Bredeson allowed two earned runs in the victory.

+Pete Schuler went 2-for-2 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored.

+ Alex Henwood was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.

+ Travis Berg was a perfect 2-for-2.

Top Tier 11, GRB Rays 6

The Rays scored two runs in the first thanks to a few defensive miscues after a Cade Bunnell single and Rudy Rott (Lacrosse Aquinas, 2015) walk. Rott scored again in the third along with Pete Schuler when Travis Berg laced a big two run triple. In the fourth, Jack Collins and Joey Baier both scored. Cade Bunnell drove in a run on a fielder’s choice. Those would be the last two runs the Rays would score, Top Tier scored six in the fifth to come away with the 11-6 win.

WATCH FULL REPLAY HERE

Game Stats:

+ Cade Bunnell scored a run while going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

+ Rudy Rott was 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

+ Travis Berg had a 2-for-3 day with a triple and two RBI.

Hitters 8, GRB Rays 4

See Game Recap

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The GRB Rays performed well over the weekend and many of their standout players continue to perform well on big stages. Jack Bredeson has continued to emerge as a blossoming right hander who is starting to put things together on the mound as his fastball is staying steady at 85-86 mph and curveball continues to improve.

Here's a look at the top overall performers for the GRB Rays on the weekend.

+ Pete Schuler finsihed the weekend driving in five RBI while going 4-for-9 at the plate and four runs scored.

+ Cade Bunnell went 6-for-13 on the weekend with five runs scored. Bunnell failed to reach first base in only six of his 15 plate appearances.

+ Brendan Meissner retired 12 straight batters in his four perfect innings of work.

+ Jack Bredeson sat down nine straight hitters in his win over the Giants Scout Team.