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Rafters Win Third In A Row
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (26-44, 14-21) broke out the brooms and swept the Lakeshore Chinooks (49-19, 25-10) thanks to a 11-8 victory on Friday night. After sterling starting pitching on Thursday it was the offense’s turn to do some damage as the Rafters pounded out 11 runs on 15 hits.
It did not look good early for the Rafters as Lakeshore scored three un-earned runs in the top of the 1st, but Wisconsin Rapids responded in a huge way. The Rafters would send nine to the plate in the bottom of the 1st and score five runs highlighted by a Keelin Rasch (Louisiana Monroe) two RBI single. Wisconsin Rapids would follow that up with a second five run inning in the bottom of the 2nd as they sent 10 batters to the plate and knocked out starter Kevin Woebke (Concordia St. Paul) after 1.1 innings. Woebke allowed ten runs (nine earned) on eight hits in his first start as a Chinook.
Lakeshore would not go quietly into the night though, as they scored a run in the top of the 4th and three more in the top of the 5th make it 10-7. Rasch would step up to the moment again though, as he hammered a solo home run in the bottom of the 5th to grab back some momentum and give the Rafters a four run lead. Rasch went 4-4 with two runs scored, four RBIs and broke the Rafters single season record mark for hits in a campaign. Rasch has now driven in nine RBIs in 3 games and is closing in on the single season record for RBIs.
The Rafters won their third in a row ahead of their final series of the year versus the Green Bay Bullfrogs. Wisconsin Rapids will look to close out their home portion of the schedule in style Saturday night as it is Advanced Disposal Fan Appreciation Night with postgame fireworks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm.
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.
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