Madison swept by Wisconsin Rapids to eliminate the glimmer of hope in first-half

Madison, WI – Wisconsin Rapids played themselves into first-half championship contention for a second straight year with a sweep of Madison, winning game two of the series 3-0 at Warner Park.

The first real offense came in the top of the 3rd against Madison’s left-hander Tommy Meyer. Three consecutive singles with one out in the inning led to run-scoring swings from Brendan Bobo and Jack Gurevitch gave the Rafters a 2-0 lead. All four hits and the two runs surrendered by Meyer were allowed in the 3rd. Meyer struck out five in his fifth start.

On the other side of the scorecard, Calen Graham led the charge for the Rafters’ pitching staff in the first shutout of the Mallards in 2023. The last time that Madison was shut out was in early August of last summer. Graham tossed three scoreless innings followed by three more empty frames from Mikiah Negrete. Three more bullpen arms combined to throw up a defensive zero. Madison only threatened twice in the contest, once in the 1st after Davis Hamilton’s double and another opportunity in the 8th with the tying run at the plate which resulted in a strikeout of Keenan Taylor.

With the victory over Madison, Wisconsin Rapids has a chance to come from behind and overtake Wausau for the top spot in the Great Lakes West with two to play. The Rafters continued their dominance over Madison on Saturday night, now winning 17 of the last 18 contests between the two rivals.

Donnie Scott’s Mallards stay at Warner Park and welcome the Green Bay Rockers to town to wrap up the first-half. Madison and Green Bay ready for a 6:05 P.M. CST first pitch tomorrow from the Duck Pond.