The Wisconsin Cheese Curds (35-22) made their final appearance at Warner Park, in game one of a two-game series against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (36-21). For the third time this month the Cheese Curds won in thrilling walk-off fashion, claiming a 5-4 triumph.

The game went back and forth as the lead changed four times and the score was tied twice.

Inning one was scoreless as both team’s bats fell silent, until the Rafters took a quick 1-0 lead in the second off an RBI single by Jake Dunham (Northern Illinois).

The Cheese Curds responded by taking a 2-1 lead in the third, scoring two runs on an error by the Rafters shortstop, Roman Trujillo (New Mexico State).

In the top of the fifth the Rafters managed to tie the game at two, after a solo home run was hammered over the left field fence by Dunham.

The competition continued to go back-and-forth in the sixth and seventh innings. During the bottom of the sixth, the Cheese Curds managed to grasp the lead for the second time off an RBI double by Drew Benefield (Louisville).

In the top of the seventh, the Cheese Curds lost their 3-2 lead after the Rafters offense became explosive, scoring two runs to get ahead, 4-3. The first run for the Rafters was scored on a solo home run by Osvaldo Tovalin (Azusa Pacific), and the second on an RBI double by Edarian Williams (UNLV).

The Cheese Curds tied the game for the third time, after Logan Michaels (Virginia) slammed an RBI single to bring in the run that evened the game at four in the bottom of the inning.

The game remained at four during the eighth and top of the ninth. This gave the Cheese Curds a chance to grab another walk-off victory, as both of the previous outings as the Cheese Curds ended in walk-offs.

Unfortunately, nine innings were not enough to crown a victor. The game headed into the top of the tenth after a fly out to right field and a double play stopped the Cheese Curds from scoring.

For the third week in a row the Cheese Curds are walk-off winners. Ben Anderson (Georgia) hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to make the final score 5-4.

Theo Denlinger (Bradley) is the winning pitcher after he did not allow the Rafters to take the lead during his time on the mound.

Jimmy Borzone (Dixie State) was given the loss after giving up the sacrifice fly that allowed the Cheese Curds to come away with the victory.

Turning Point

JT Mabry (Middle Tennessee State) cut down Edarian Williams (UNLV) at the plate in the top of the tenth inning, to prevent the go ahead run from scoring. The Cheese Curds got out of the frame unharmed.

Top Mallards

• Anderson was named Impact Player of the Night after hitting the walk-off sacrifice fly in the tenth to win the game.
• Denlinger had strong outing, after retiring three consecutive batters in the top of the tenth to pick up the win.
• Michaels hit the RBI single that tied the game at four in the bottom of the seventh.

Up Next

The Cheese Curds will return to the Duck Pond as the Madison Mallards tomorrow, to close out the series against the Rafters. Tomorrow’s game will be Valpak Night with Havens Petting Farm, Wisconsin Lottery Night and SSM Health first aid kit giveaway.