Rafters’ Fourteen-Game Win Streak Ended in 4-2 Woodchucks Win
Tim Hackett, Broadcasting Intern
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.- The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters hadn’t lost a game since June 1. Since then, they had won fourteen straight games. They won ten of those by five runs or more. The Wisconsin Woodchucks hadn’t won a game since June 10. Since then, they had lost five straight games. They lost four of those by five runs or more.
That all came to an end Saturday night in Rapids. Led by offense from the outfield and the lockdown bullpen, the Woodchucks (6-12) ended one of the longest win streaks in Northwoods League history with a 4-2 victory over the Rafters (16-2).
Against struggling Rapids starter Tevita Gerber, the Chucks got off to a fast start. With two outs in the first, Stevie Mangrum launched a Gerber pitch over the center field wall for his league-leading eighth homer of the year and a 1-0 Wisconsin lead. It soon became two. With two outs in the second, Andrew Smith singled, stole second and scored on a Milton Rivera double to extend the lead.
Chucks starter Gordon Cardenas was strong through two, but Rapids got to him in the third. Jake Guenther walked and scored on a Bryson Stott sac fly and Wyatt Mascarella walked and scored on a Nick Anderson single to level the score at two apiece through three.
Neither team scored in the fourth, but the Woodchucks got back on top in the fifth when Smith singled again and scored on a Mangrum base knock to make it 3-2. The lead got bumped back up to two when Mason McReaken hit Smith and Tristan Clarke singled him home to make it 4-2.
Rapids threatened against relievers Andreas Papageorge, Jackson Owens and Lenny Gwizdala, but the Rafters could not score. That set the stage for Orsen Josephina, who tallied a strikeout, a lineout and a groundout to clinch his league-leading sixth save of the season and seal the 4-2 victory. Gwizdala pitched well over 1.1 innings to warrant his second win of the year, while Gerber picked up his first loss.
The Woodchucks will take on the Rafters again Sunday afternoon. DJ Morland will start for Wisconsin; Jack Eagan will oppose. First pitch is slated for 3:05 PM as the Woodchucks try to turn this win into a winning streak.
Tickets are on sale to all Wisconsin Woodchucks home games and the 2017 Northwoods League Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, presented by Ascension. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 715.845.5055 or by stopping by the Woodchucks front office during normal business hours.
